Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
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43rd session of the Human Rights Council
(24 February – 20 March 2020)
Oral update of the HC under Agenda 2
Statement by India
Madam President,
We thank the High Commissioner for her oral update and have noted the references on India.
2. India recently celebrated 70 years of the adoption of its Constitution, one of the longest such written documents, which has stood the test of time. It provides for extensive collective and individual fundamental rights and freedoms to the people of India. This human rights-based approach which has been enshrined in India’s Constitution has been the moral guide of the government.
3. As my Minister elaborated yesterday during the High-level Segment, the Indian government under Prime Minister Modi has brought transformational changes to India both in the social and in the economic field to fulfil this promise given to our people in the Constitution and to leave no one behind as agreed under Agenda 2030 on SDGs.
Madam President,
4. I would like to take this opportunity to inform the council that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is fast returning to normalcy despite serious provocations and attempts made by one country to derail this process through its active support to terrorist groups and related entities. Security forces have exercised maximum restraint and not a single live bullet has been fired and no civilian life has been lost in police action. India’s democratic institutions are robust enough to respond to these external challenges while protecting and respecting the human rights of all.
5. Our advice to our neighbour would be to desist from such actions and devote more attention to the well being of its own citizens in particular persecuted religious minorities, which are suffering due to rampant mis-governance in this failed state.
Madam President,
6. India is committed to reduce statelessness and has recently enacted legislative measures to address historical grievances of a group of persecuted persons to ensure that they enjoy full rights as citizens of India and are not pushed into statelessness.
Madam President,
7. Peaceful protests and demonstrations are part of India’s democratic traditions. However, at the same time, violence has no place in the democratic ethos of India. We have taken all measures and restored peace and normalcy in the affected areas in Delhi.
8. India’s engagement with the global discourse on human rights has always favoured an inclusive and constructive approach based on dialogue, consultation and cooperation. We encourage the OHCHR to develop a better understanding and appreciation of the freedoms and rights that are guaranteed and protected daily in a vibrant democracy like India before coming to any conclusions. We would continue to engage constructively with the Council and OHCHR for the promotion and protection of human rights across the world.
Thank you, Madam President.
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