General Comments by India at "Virtual informal consultation on draft PRST on COVID-19", delivered by  Ms. Mini Kumam, First Secretary, 

Permanent Mission of India [08 May 2020, Geneva]

Thank you, Madam President for the draft PRST and having this consultation. We hope that it will facilitate in moving towards convergence of views. In addition to LMG comments, we share the following views on the suggestions from other stakeholders.

Madam President,

The crisis has shown that we need to promote human welfare and a rights-based approach in our pursuit of growth and development. So, the right to life and health can’t be ignored when we talk about Covid-19 pandemic so are socio-economic impacts. Similarly, it would be ironical if we don’t highlight timely and equitable access to safe, affordable, effective and quality health products which is crucial to tackle the pandemic. It is important to highlight an inclusive and cooperative global response to tackle the pandemic effectively.

It is our sincere hope that national governments are doing their best to meet the crisis and these efforts need to be acknowledged. India accounting for one-sixth of humanity, knows how tremendous a challenge it is to tackle the crisis. We also agree that the Covid-19 response from national governments should be necessary, proportionate, non-discriminatory and in accordance to their human rights obligations. However, we also feel that the draft PRST should not be prescriptive in its recommendations by asking scope and objective of the response.

Finally, it’s also important that the HRC mechanisms would be mindful of their mandates. Adherence to the mandates would facilitate responses from the governments. We would work with an open mind to build up consensus in the Council.

*****