43rd Session of the Human Rights Council

Agenda Item: 4 General Debate

Right of Reply by India delivered by Ms. Rachita Bhandari,

Permanent Mission of India

(Geneva, 11 March 2020)

Madam President,

I take the floor to exercise India’s Right of Reply to the statement delivered by Pakistan during the General Debate under Agenda item 4.

The delegate of Pakistan referred to Jammu and Kashmir, which was, is and shall forever remain an integral part of India. Jammu and Kashmir has begun its march to peace and prosperity along with the rest of India. This is despite Pakistan's repeated attempts to derail the process, despite Pakistan’s active and sustained support to terror groups and despite Pakistan’s pursuit of a malicious disinformation campaign against India. Pakistan cannot mislead the international community by paying lip service to dialogue and cooperation while it continues to use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of State policy against India.

Madam President,

Can Pakistan deny the fact that it is home to as many as 130 UN designated terrorists and 25 terrorist entities listed by the UN, and that these proscribed individuals have actively campaigned and contested in elections?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that the world’s most wanted terrorist Osama bin Laden was found living in Pakistan near a military academy, sheltered and protected by the deep State?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that impunity reigns supreme in the country as perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks continue to roam free?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that its other neighbours have repeatedly complained about Pakistan’s continued support to terrorist elements?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that the UNSC resolutions that it keeps referring to, ask Pakistan, as the very first step, to withdraw from the illegally occupied territory of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and that it has not done so for more than seven decades?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that its leaders, including its Prime Minister, have openly called for Jihad against India?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that it unleashed a State-sponsored Genocide against its own people in 1971?

Can Pakistan deny the fact that vulnerable minorities in the country face religious persecutions on a daily basis?

Madam President,

India, as not only the world’s largest democracy but a robustly functional and vibrant one, could well do without lessons from a failed State like Pakistan whose own people have never ever enjoyed either true democracy or human rights.

I thank you, Madam President.

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