PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA
GENEVA
GENERAL SEGMENT – 31st SESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
[2nd March 2016]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar,
Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UN & other International Organizations
Thank you Mr. President,
1. Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your appointment as the President of the Council. We assure you of our continued support in the work of the Council. We also acknowledge the contribution of the High Commissioner for Human Rights towards promotion and protection of human rights across the world.
Mr. President,
2. The Council has entered the second decade of its work. While there is no specific mandate for reviewing its work and its impact on the ground , there is a need for a clear introspection on whether the activities of the Council are indeed contributing to the core mandate of ‘promoting universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all’.
3. Given the challenging times for human rights situation in many parts of the world, we add our voice to the High Commissioner’s timely call for ‘decisive and cooperative leadership in defence of the vital principles’ that govern the functioning of the Council. We should be informed by “the lessons from integrative forces of history” as articulated by the High Commissioner. We agree with the High Commissioner that all rights are equally important and, in this regard, we cannot pick and choose from the legal architecture of the international system.
4. India is seriously concerned with the ongoing refugee and migrant crisis. We are confident that this matter will find suitable reflection in the work of the Council.
5. Terrorism is now widely recognized as a truly global scourge. The world has come to recognize that no cause can justify any form of support to terrorism. We are, in fact, in a phase of inter-governmental deliberations today where the aim should be to arrive at consensus to outlaw terrorism delegitimize it as a tool of politics, and also respect human rights while undertaking counter-terrorism measures.
6. The international community today faces multiple interlinked crises – the financial, climate, and development crises. The challenges of globalised world is more complex and the global development agenda more cross-cutting in nature. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a milestone. It is an important opportunity for all countries to jointly address the common challenges of sustainable development. In the context, the Right to Development remains an important pillar.
Mr. President,
7. India’s approach in the Council has been shaped by its firm belief that promotion and protection of human rights can be best pursued through dialogue and cooperation. In this regard, High Commissioner’s emphasis on a “reasoned and cooperative approach” is a timely reflection. It is in our collective interest that the Council, a subsidiary organ of the General Assembly with the primary responsibility for Human Rights, continues to be guided, in its functioning, by this approach.
8. As we move towards further deepening the Council’s objective of expanding the normative framework on human rights, we should continue to strive towards identifying more cooperative methods of realizing it. Avoidance of a confrontationist approach is a mark of maturity and not weakness.
9. The Council has often demonstrated that it can indeed react swiftly to deteriorating situation of human rights and to address the challenges in a collaborative manner. We commend and support such initiatives. A safe and free world does require constant vigilance and it is our collective responsibility to support all efforts in this regard. We also believe that the prevalent and emerging global challenges call for a greater dialogue and cooperation, which alone can lead to a more effective functioning of the Council which, in turn, will further enhance its credibility.
10. The Universal Periodic Review has, in a relatively short time, emerged as a positive, universal, transparent and widely acceptable mechanism of the Council with participation of all stakeholders in promoting constructive and collaborative deliberations. It is positively transforming our collective commitment. Such participatory innovations for greater understanding are needed in this Council.
Mr. President,
11. As the world’s largest democracy with a proud history of unity and diversity, strong Constitutional safeguards for fundamental freedom, a progressive parliament, an independent and impartial judiciary a key and vibrant media and an engaging civil society, India is wedded to the idea of a just and equitable society.
12. To conclude, we reiterate our strong commitment to continue to participate actively in the work of the Council with a view to enhancing its effectiveness, efficiency and responsiveness.
Thank you.
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