Statement by India at the 39^th session of Human Rights Council under Agenda Item: 6 Universal Periodic Review, delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary [Geneva, 21 September 2018]

Mr. President,

India reaffirms its belief in the success of the UPR mechanism in promotion and protection of human rights. Adherence to non-politicized, non-selective and non-confrontational discussion among Member States during the UPR process is essential to strengthen this success further.

2. The primary reason for universal and constructive participation of the Member States in the UPR process is the recognition of their primacy in finalizing the decisions on the recommendations. We believe that national or domestic mechanisms are the only ways to translate UPR recommendations into concrete outcomes taking into account the respective social, political and economic circumstances.

3. Any attempt to circumvent and undermine the primacy of States would adversely affect the voluntary and objective participation of the Member States in the UPR process. Motivated insistence on follow up on certain preferred and selected issues, questioning the content and methodology of national reports prepared by the States under Review would be counter-productive. Such attempts violate the IB package of the Council. While there may be issues of capacity constraints in some cases, Member states undertake a broad consultation process at the national level with all relevant stakeholders to finalize the national reports.

4. Extending adequate capacity-building assistance to address the capacity constraints of some States in the documentation process as well as in the implementation of the accepted recommendations would be crucial for continued engagement of the Member States in the UPR process.

Thank you, Mr. President.