H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UN and other International Organizations in Geneva making India's Statement at Human Rights Council 31st Session under Agenda Item 8: General Debate H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UN and other International ..

Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Statement by  H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UN Offices and other International Organizations in Geneva at Human Rights Council
(31stSession)(29 February-24 March 2016)
General Debate:Agenda Item 8

(21 March 2016)

 

Mr. President,

The Vienna Declaration and the Programme of Action (VDPA) is a seminal document insofar that it represents the broadest political consensus achieved in the field of promotion and protection of human rights by the international community. It is not due to the inadequacy of VDPA but lack of sufficient will that over two decades after the adoption of the VDPA, the world is still struggling with the unfulfilled aspirations of human dignity and social justice.Today’s prevalent threats to fundamental freedoms and human rights, once again, invite us to have a relook at the pragmatic and action-oriented manner in which the Declaration intended us to proceed.

2.       The universality of human rights is at the core of VDPA that still guides us to treat all rights on equal footing with same emphasis. However, the Council in its functioningoften appears todisregard this vital guidance.When one set of rights begin to acquire more prominence as the cost of others, it sets into motion a process of trust-erosion and reluctance to cooperate which could potentially lead to a deadlock that could undermine the very basis for which this Council was established.

3.       VDPA’s broad vision is reflected in the fact that it considers right to development as an integral part of the human rights. The interdependence and the mutually re-enforcing nature of democracy, development and human rights seem to be getting side-lined in the pursuit of objectives that are overtly political in nature. The fact that this dimension is gaining currency in the Council, as we observe the completion of a decade of its establishment, calls for utmost caution. There are ample lessons to learn from the trajectory that led to the decline and redundancy of the Council’s predecessor body.

Mr.President, 

4.       The VDPA is unambiguous in acknowledging the importance and the constructive role that national institutions can play in the promotion and protection of human rights. While highlighting the crucial role of international cooperation and assistance in this regard, the Declaration strongly advocates the right of each State to choose the framework best suited for it. Contrary to this, what we are witnessing, from one HRC session to another, areattempts to establish yet more external and intrusive mechanisms that often operate without the express will or the confidence of the concerned States.

5.       The letter and spirit of VDPA can also help us towards addressing two of the major global concerns of our day: the situation of refugees and migrant workers and the menace of terrorism. Both these issues call for enhanced international solidarity and deep reflection on the role and responsibility of the international community. 

I thank you.

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