PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA TO THE UN, GENEVA

Human Rights Council31stSession (29 February-24 March2016)
General Debate: Agenda Item 10 (Technical Assistance and Capacity Building)
(Wednesday, 23 March 2016)

Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UN and other International Organizations in Geneva on behalf of LMG Countries

Mr President,

I have the honour of making this statement on behalf of 20 countries of the Like-Minded Group (LMG).

2.We would like to begin by reiterating our strong belief that, when it comes to promotion and protection of human rights, all attempts at coordination by the international community must fully acknowledge the primacy of States' role and participation. It is our understanding that no country can claim to have fully succeeded in obliterating all human rights abuses and violations. Hence, the issue of technical cooperation and capacity building should not be seen as recommended course of action for only a select group of member states.

 Mr. President,
3.The significant role played by the Human Rights Council and other UN human rights mechanisms in enhancing the safeguards against abuse and violations of human rights must be recognized but there has also been a concomitant increase in the responsibility and workload of member States. Taking this into account, we have repeatedly called for a thorough assessment and analysis of the technical capacities that States have at their disposal. Such assessments should become our guiding light in order to reinforce our collective efforts towards making appropriate institutional capacities and financial resources available to the States in pursuit of their human rights commitments.

4.We would do well in not losing sight of the objectives that we have agreed upon in foundational documents such as the VDPA and relevant UN resolutions which make it clear in no uncertain terms that all efforts towards technical cooperation and assistance to member states should understand that States themselves are the best judge of their requirements and priorities. Ignoring this basic fact can potentially jeopardize States' own efforts at promotinghuman rights and fundamental freedoms of their people. International cooperation, in order to be meaningful and productive, should rely upon the spirit of global solidarity wherein our deliberations should also aim at devising ways and means to reduce the unease and enhance the mutual confidence of states. Based on our diverse experience of ground realities, we are convinced that the success and sustainability of all international efforts in this regard remain dependent on consent, participation and a sense of ownership on the part of the concerned State.

 5. This fundamental respect for the wilful participation of States,and adequate attention to the objectives and priorities, also applies to the implementation of the Voluntary Trust Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance and Voluntary Trust Fund for UPR Implementation. In this regard, the Like-Minded Group is concerned at the growing deficit of funds available for technical assistance. We encourage States and other donors to contribute towards sustainability of this fund so that the growing request for technical assistance can be addressed adequately.

6.LMG takes note with appreciation of the this year's report of the OHCHR on technical cooperation and capacity-building which addresses the important issue of rights of all migrants, including women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.
  I thank you.
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*The LMG countries supporting this statement are: 1. Cuba 2. Pakistan 3. Bangladesh 4. Uganda 5. Zimbabwe 6. Bolivia 7. Singapore 8. Egypt 9. Venezuela 10. Sudan 11. Ecuador 12. Russia 13. Indonesia 14. Myanmar 15. China 16. Sri Lanka 17. Belarus 18. Saudi Arabia 19. Malaysia 20. India