Statement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attentionStatement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 25 September 2020) Statement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the ..
  • Home > 45th Session of Human Rights Council (14 September – 02 October 2020) > Statement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attentionStatement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 25 September 2020)

Statement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attentionStatement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 25 September 2020)

Madam President,

We are in the midst of a global health and economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the States are doing their best to mitigate its impact by ensuring that no one is left behind including the most vulnerable. 

2. At the same time, we are observing malevolent attempts by terrorists to exploit the financial and emotional distress caused by the lock-downs to disturb the cohesiveness of societies.  The increased presence of people online and on social media has been targeted by terrorists to disseminate misinformation through hate speeches, fake news and doctored videos.  The intent has been to entice and establish links with vulnerable individuals and recruit them in their cadres. Terror groups have also exhorted supporters to target security forces and health workers. Another disturbing trend has been the collection of funds by proscribed terrorist outfits ostensibly for undertaking charitable activities, but which, in reality, would be used to finance terror. 

Madam President,

3. Terrorism is the grossest affront to the enjoyment of the inalienable human right to life and to live in peace and security.  It poses a serious threat to economic and social development, undermines democracy and jeopardizes the rule of law. It is an attack against freedom of thought, expression and association. While acts of terrorism violate the rights of individual victims, it also deeply affects the enjoyment of a range of rights by the families of the victims and society as a whole. Any terrorist incident disproportionately affects the human rights of women, girls and children.

Madam President,

4. Considering this, the Council can’t remain immune to the devastating human rights impacts caused by terrorism. It needs to play a key role in creating awareness about protection of the rights of the most vulnerable groups particularly children and young persons in order to prevent their radicalization and indoctrination by terrorist ideologies. We underscore the need to foster a society in which individuals and communities are able to counter the spread of terrorist ideologies and challenge those who espouse them. As the world grapples with Covid-19, it is important to cooperate among States coherently to fight against terrorists, whose disruptive activities have continued and, in fact, increased during the pandemic.  

Thank you, Madam President.