Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
29th session of the Human Rights Council
(15 June-03 July 2015)
Agenda Item 2: General Debate(15 June 2015)
Statement by India
Mr. President,
1. We thank the UN Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their reports under this Agenda Item and also the High Commissioner for his oral update on the situation of human rights around the world and the activities of the OHCHR including on technical cooperation and capacity building.
2. We supportthe statement made by Egypt, as the Coordinator of the Like-Minded group of countries, under this Agenda Item.
3. During the previous sessions, we had the benefit of receiving in advance the Oral statement of the High Commissioner to the Council under this Agenda Item. It was indeed a useful practice, as it helped us to come prepared to make meaningful contributions. We hope this practice can be restored so that Member States can make an informed statement under this Agenda Item.
Mr. President,
4. The protection and promotion of human rights on a sustained basis can be best achieved through constructive dialogue and cooperation.The States ought to be the primary bearers of responsibility in this regard.The nature of challenges that confront States continues to be diverse and multi-layered.The role of international community, including the United Nations and in particular the Office of the High Commissioner, should factor such national context while extending their helping hand.
5. We thank the High Commissioner for elaborating the best practices and challenges in extending technical assistance and capacity building to the Member States. India duly acknowledges the role played by the OHCHR in enhancing the capacities of States, at their request, in their institution-building for effective promotion and protection of human rights of their citizens.
6. We believe that the States can gain from the assistance provided by various human rights mechanisms of the UN, only if primacy is accorded to cooperation over confrontation with the States concerned. This should be one of the important guiding principles for optimal results in our collective effort to strengthen human rights protection measures world over. Countries often have unique national circumstances along with a considered prioritization of their requirements. The OHCHR should bear in mind these priorities while seeking to extend cooperation and support in its interactions with the States concerned.
7. India shares the twin concerns that have oftenbeen raised in this Council: a) the still persisting ambiguities in governance and administration arrangements of the OHCHRand b) the challenging financial scenarioresulting inunhealthy dependence on extra-budgetary contributions. Both these issues invite our urgent attention.
8. We take note with appreciation of the initiatives of the High Commissioner in improving efficiency and streamlining the work of the OHCHR. We urge the High Commissioner for an equitable distribution of time and resources towards all rights including the right to development whichprovides the adequate framework for addressing the challenges of security, human rights and development.
Mr. President,
9. We once again take this opportunity to renew our commitment of full cooperation to the High Commissioner and his Office in the successful discharge of his mandate.
Thank you.
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