General comments by India before the vote on Consideration of the Resolution A/HRC/43/L.31 on ‘Promoting mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of human rights’, in the 43rd (Resumed), Session of the Human Rights Council, 15-19 June 2020, delivered by Ambassador Rajiv K. Chander, Permanent Representative of India (Geneva, 22 June 2020)
EoV by India before the vote
Madam President,
It has always been our endeavor that the objective of promotion and protection of human rights is best pursued through constructive engagement and genuine dialogue among all stakeholders. Any steps towards this approach should be welcomed by all and encouraged in the Human Rights Council.
2. We understand the underlying reasons for divergences over priorities and concerns on issues of human rights among Member States. Considering this, it has always been our attempt to bring in a pluralistic, moderate and balanced perspective to help bridge multiple divides in the global human rights discourse, so as to find broad common ground at least on fundamental issues.
Madam President,
3. It is only natural for us to support capacity augmentation in States, at their request and upon their consent to facilitate better implementation of human rights obligations. This is in line with the principle of nationally led approaches to determine capacity building. We also emphasize the role of this Council and all its mechanisms in providing technical assistance to States in this regard.
4. However, we have reservations on the PP that calls for building a community of shared future for human beings. It is our firm belief that this PP could have been based on the already agreed language of the SDG framework rather than bringing in elements which have not found universal acceptance. These new formulations are not within the framework of India's policies in this regard. In light of the above, India votes against this Resolution.
Thank you, Madam President.
