Statement by India on Agenda Item 10: General Debate on Technical Assistance and Capacity‑Building at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 05 October 2020] Statement by India on Agenda Item 10: General Debate on Technical Assistance and Capacity‑Building..

Statement by India on Agenda Item 10: General Debate on Technical assistance and capacity‑building at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Vimarsh Aryan, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 05 October 2020]

Mr. Vice-President,

We appreciate and support the efforts of OHCHR in capacity building and technical assistance for promotion and protection of human rights. 

2. The current pandemic situation demands extraordinary efforts from all States which needs to be strengthened through international solidarity and increased cooperation amongst member states and relevant UN organizations. In this context, it is even more important that technical assistance and capacity building measures from OHCHR could supplement the national efforts.

3. The Council and its mechanisms may give more focus on assisting States in developing and strengthening national institutions and mechanisms in accordance to their wishes and priorities.

Mr. Vice-President,

4. We believe that enhancement of State’s capacity through technical assistance and capacity building measures in consultation with, and with the consent of, the State concerned could contribute towards the improvement of the human rights situation on the ground. It is, therefore, important to focus technical assistance and capacity building towards implementation of accepted UPR recommendations, with the belief that the national or domestic mechanisms remains best placed to translate them into concrete outcomes.

5. The sanctity of this agenda item should be maintained and it should be left as a dedicated Agenda Item. Intrusion into this Agenda under any pretext for naming and shaming purposes is not acceptable. 

6. We also note with concern that the funding constraints of OHCHR would hamper the technical assistance measures towards States and underscore the importance of exploring options for ensuring sustainable funding for this purpose. India remains committed to support OHCHR in this regard and has contributed USD 2,00,000 to the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation (VFTC) for the year 2020.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

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