Right of Reply by India under Agenda Item: 3 Interactive Dialogue with SR on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and SR on Promotion and Protection of Human Rights while Countering Terrorism at the 43^rd Session of the Human Rights Council (24 February-20 March 2020), delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 04 March 2020]

Mr. Vice-President,

I have been compelled to exercise India's right of reply in response to the mendacious statements delivered by Pakistan today. 

2. Human Rights Council is responsible for promotion and protection of all human rights universally. However, quite ironically, what we heard from the Pakistani delegation was an attempt to polarise and politicize this august forum in order to propagate an illegal, immoral and inhuman territorial ambition.

3. The blatant and incessant abuse of various agenda items of this important Council Session by Pakistan to malign my country is hard to miss as is their hypocrisy and fakery that only intends to politicize this august forum. The international community has abundantly witnessed hysterical statements of Pakistan at various international fora and we believe that Pakistan’s nefarious designs aimed only at damaging the syncretic fabric of Indian society will never succeed.

Mr. Vice-President,

4. Pakistani delegation is raising false and fabricated concerns for rights of human rights defenders elsewhere, however, unfortunately, legitimate human rights defenders in Pakistan are bearing the brunt of real draconian laws, as we speak.

5. We would like to inform this Council that the documents of various International Organizations are replete with references to enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of journalists, lawyers and human rights activists that have been systematically carried out by the Pakistani security agencies. Women human rights activists are the prime targets in the military operations in Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces of Pakistan. Legitimate criticism and Political dissidents are routinely targeted through intimidations and killings by Pakistan.

 Mr. Vice-President

6. The biggest threat to the human rights of our people including defenders in Jammu and Kashmir comes from the pernicious cradle of global terrorism which is Pakistan and whose top leadership has openly acknowledged the same.

7. Jammu & Kashmir has been, is and will continue to be an integral part of India and Pakistan should cease to covet it. We ask Pakistan that instead of spewing lies for a self-serving mendacious propaganda, work constructively and devote equal attention to protection and promotion of rights of human rights defenders including those from the minorities.

8. As far as OIC is concerned, it has no locus standi to comment on the internal affairs of India.

I Thank You, Mr. Vice-President.

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