Statement by India under General Debate: Agenda Item 3 in the
42nd Session of the Human Rights Council (09-27 September 2019),
delivered by Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary,
Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 13th September 2019)
Mr. President,
1.The Human Rights Council was established to serve as a forum for dialogue on issues of human rights. The universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation were identified as the guiding principles of the Council. The reason was simple and clear that the Council’s objectives can be best achieved through building consensus through genuine dialogue on all outstanding issues.
2. However, the human rights discourse in the Council has become increasingly acrimonious and contentious. Tendency to misuse the Council for self-serving political interests has contributed immensely to polarization and vitiating the atmosphere of the Council. This has only heightened our sense that there is an urgent need for consensus building process among the member states for the realization of the core objectives of the Council. We have the responsibility to take a firm collective approach to reject any self-serving political interests as an agenda of the Council.
3. Efforts to devise procedures and practices to achieve common acceptable and sustainable objectives of the Council would go a long way in strengthening the Council. Naming and shaming of countries has led to erosion of trusts between all relevant stakeholders and this in turn, has proved counter productive to the overall promotion of human rights.
4. We drew the Council’s focus on promotion of human rights education, learning as well as extending advisory services, technical assistance and capacity-building to the Member States on request.
5. Finally, India is of the view that involvement of the Council in the possible review of its status by the General Assembly in 2021 is essential. The Council which is aware of its multifaceted challenges can present a comprehensive suggestion on the review process.
Thank you, Mr. President.
