Statement by India at Virtual Interaction of NAM Ambassadors in Geneva

with High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered by 

Ambassador Rajiv K. Chander,Permanent Representative of India

[Wednesday, 10 June 2020, Geneva] 

Chairperson of the NAM Chapter Geneva

Madam High Commissioner

1. I would like to begin by thanking the Chair for organizing this important interaction of the NAM Ambassadors in Geneva with theHigh Commissioner for Human Rights. I would also like to thank the High Commissioner for her detailed briefing on various activities undertaken by OHCHR in these difficult times. It is useful to have these meetings to exchange views on how this movementcan play its due role in promotion and protection of human rights.

2. We strongly believe that current situation which is extraordinary needs extraordinary response through international solidarity and increased cooperation amongst member states as well as by various UN agencies and International Organizations.

3. We should be however mindful of the fact that the national efforts at this moment are solely focused on mitigating the socio economic impacts of the pandemic and ensuring that no lives are lost in particular of those most vulnerable while at the same time ensuring their livelihoods.

4. Therefore in these difficult times it is even more important that activities undertaken by OHCHR supplement national efforts and strictly adhere to the fundamental principles of universality, transparency, impartiality, non-selectivity, non-politicization and objectivity, while seeking to realize the human rights for all.I would like to assure the High Commissioner that in this endeavour it will find in India a more than willing partnerspeciallyon OHCHR’s work on capacity building and technical assistance.

Mr. Chairperson

5. The Non- Aligned Movement has always been in the forefront of promotion and protection of all human rights and believes in equal treatment of all human rights.For this movement, the Right to Development holds a special place. We hope that the High Commissioner would be able to devote more resources for promotion of this right. Another issue which has been of particular concern to the movement is that of equitable geographical representation in the staff of OHCHR. We appreciate the efforts undertaken by the High Commissioner to rectify this anomaly. We hope to see a more geographical diverse OHCHR in the future. This is important to ensure the independence of the High Commissioner.

6. Lastly, I once again thank the Chair of the NAM chapter Geneva and the High Commissioner for this timely meeting.

Thank You

*******************