Statement by India under Agenda Item: 3 in the 43rd Session of the

Human Rights Council ( 24 February – 20 March 2020), delivered by

Ms. Mini Devi Kumam, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India,

(Geneva, 05 March 2020)

Madam President,

We firmly believe that the effective way to promote universal respect for protection of all human rights on a sustained basis, is through genuine international cooperation and constructive dialogue guided by the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. The founding objective of this Council was to act as a platform that precisely facilitates such dialogue and cooperation and not to repeat the mistakes of its predecessor.

2. We have with dismay observed recent tendency to polarize the Council for political purposes. One cannot be in constant denial that this is not affecting the credibility of the organization itself. This trend would weaken the moral and material authority of the Council to move forward towards its objective of universal promotion and protection of human rights. The Council must adopt a holistic and integrated approach that reinforces the inter-relationship between development, human rights, democracy, rule of law and international cooperation. The focus of the Council must also be balanced between economic, social, cultural rights and civil and political rights. Considering this, we are concerned that there has been increasing funding constraints on promoting socio-economic rights particularly on the right to development.

3. In contrast, it is a matter of serious concern that funds are being increasingly utilized on activities mandated by country specific resolutions through the perpetuation and proliferation of country-specific mandates. As we look forward, the emphasis of the Council should be on advocating an enabling environment, both at the national and global levels, under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from international human rights law can be promoted.

4. Our collective efforts should be aimed at both promotion which entails strengthening of national capacities without any conditions attached and for protection through an approach of dialogue, consultation and consensus building conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation.

5. Finally, it’s very important that the Human Rights Council, Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms, the Office of the High Commissioner should have a comprehensive understanding of all human rights issues. This would be possible only when all these bodies are equally represented from all regions of the world.

Thank you, Madam President.

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