Statement by India at the 35^th Session of Human Rights Council (06-23 June 2017) on Agenda Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with SR on Myanmar. [Geneva, 15 June 2017]

Mr. President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for her oral update.

2. Myanmar is currently undergoing a crucial political transition. The journey towards political reforms and democratization in Myanmar is still in its early stages and needs understanding and support from the international community. As a neighbor of Myanmar with whom we share historical and cultural ties, India has consistently encouraged Myanmar to expedite political reform and establish democratic institutions. Myanmar’s efforts towards an inclusive and broad-based national reconciliation and its progress on human rights need to be appreciated in this context.

3. We believe that the Council should also encourage Myanmar to further develop necessary capacities to address human rights issues. Over the last several years, the Government of Myanmar has been engaging with UN mechanisms in a cooperative manner. The Special Rapporteur has herself, on many occasions, acknowledged the cooperation extended by Myanmar to her mandate.

4. We would like to reiterate that he initiatives on Myanmar launched in 1992 initially under the Commission of Human Rights and subsequently extended under the HRC have substantially achieved their intended objectives. Given Myanmar’s strong commitment to reform at the highest level, and its cooperation with Special Procedures, India is not in favor of any further country-specific initiatives against Myanmar in the Human Rights Council or in the UN General Assembly. It is for this reason that India did not join the consensus on the HRC resolution 34/22 and we remain unconvinced about the efficacy of the so-called Fact Finding Mission that is being imposed upon Myanmar.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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