Statement by India at Virtual Informal Conversation

with the High Commissioner for Human Rights

on the Outbreak of Covid-19 and its implications on Human Rights

around the world, delivered by Ambassador Rajiv K. Chander,

Permanent Representative of India [Thursday, 09 April 2020, Geneva]

Madam President,

Thanks are due to you and the High Commissioner for this informal conversation which is both necessary and timely as we face a grave global crisis from the Covid-19 pandemic. Tackling this threat requires all-out efforts and solidarity at the national, regional and global level by all stakeholders.

The crisis has thrown up multidimensional challenges for us from the immediate containment of the pandemic to tackling the economic fallout especially in the post pandemic phase. India´s focus is to contain the spread of COVID19 by adopting the required measures while, at the same time, doing our best to ameliorate the situation of those affected, particularly the marginalized and the poor, especially women, children and migrant labour. Hence, the Government has provided a US $24 billion assistance package that seeks to save lives as well as livelihoods.

However, the sheer magnitude of the crisis demands a collective and collaborative regional as well as global response. In addition to its contribution of USD 10 million to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Covid-19 Response Fund, India is keeping a Rapid Response Team of doctors and specialists on stand by for assisting SAARC member States. (We are also extending online training capsules for emergency response teams and are ready to share with SAARC Member States the Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal to better trace possible virus carriers).

The need of the hour is to make concerted efforts to overcome this existential threat. The introspection, analysis or prognosis would come in the post Covid-19 scenario that would also need to address the expected socio-economic fallout. Currently, the UN system including OHCHR needs to play a positive role by supplementing national efforts in every possible manner in accordance with the respective mandates.

Thank you, Madam President.

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