Statement by India under Agenda Item 5:  General Debate on the

Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms  in the Resumed 43^rd Session

of the Human Rights Council (15 – 19 June, 2020), delivered by

Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India,

(Geneva, 15 June 2020)

Madam President,

We thank the Advisory Committee for the activities that it has undertaken this year. We take note of the reports and research-based studies submitted to the Council, as mandated. We attach great importance to the fundamental role of technical assistance and capacity-building in the protection, promotion and realization of human rights. We acknowledge that the OHCHR has a major role to play in the technical assistance and capacity building however, any such activities to be fulfilled with the consent of the States concerned.

2. We take note of the Conclusions of the Study on Utilizing non-repatriated illicit funds in order to support the achievement of SDGs. Collective inter-State efforts are required, including at regional and sub-regional levels with a view to find ways and means to utilize such funds of an illicit nature towards the enjoyment of human rights.

3. The Recommendations made by the Forum on Minority Issues and the Social Forum focusing on education, language and the human rights of minorities; and children and youth through education, are useful additions and provide important guidance to the States for their consideration.

Madam President,

4. Considering the important role of all human rights bodies and mechanisms in the promotion and protection of human rights, it is vital to provide geographical, professional, legal and cultural diversity to them which is crucial in comprehending diverse countries. This would help in building constructive and practical partnerships between the UN human rights system and member states. The selection and appointment of the mandate holders should take into account the equitable geographic representation along with an appropriate representation of different legal systems in accordance with resolution 5/1.

5. On the contribution of human rights bodies and mechanisms towards issues related to prevention, it is important that the resources towards their mandated activities should not be at the cost of activities to be undertaken for promotion and protection of human rights.

6. With regard to the issue of strengthening the treaty body system, we need to proceed in a very careful manner without upsetting the delicate balance built over a long time.

I thank you Madam President.

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