General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution “Promoting and protecting human rights of women and girls in conflict and post conflict situations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325” at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 07 October 2020) General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution “Promoting and protecting human right..
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General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution “Promoting and protecting human rights of women and girls in conflict and post conflict situations on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council resolution 1325” at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 07 October 2020)

Madam President,

              It’s a fact that women and girls bear disproportionately large share of the burden of war and conflicts while having a marginal say in matters of war and peace. We have consistently held that greater participation of women in areas of conflict resolution, peace negotiations, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction is the necessity for lasting peace and security. It’s in this belief that India was the first Member State to deploy an all-women police force including women peacekeepers as well as women protection advisors to assist States in need.

Madam President,

2. It’s been our consistent view that the key pillars of lasting peace namely economic recovery, social cohesion and political legitimacy cannot be achieved without the active engagement of women. It’s also imperative to address the disproportionate impact of armed conflict on women including the abhorrent practice of sexual violence against women as an instrument of war. The UNSC 1325 highlighted all the above aspects.

Madam President,

3. India has always maintained the position that thematic issues with a cross-cutting, multi-sectoral dimension requiring the active consideration of all Member States, are best discussed in a universal forum such as the General Assembly. The founding resolutions establishing the Human Rights Council and all its Mechanisms have delineated specific areas and activities to avoid duplication of mandates with other UN system.

Madam President,

4. The resolution under consideration is an exclusive discussion on WPS agenda which is extraneous to the mandate of the Council. It has even tasked the Council and the OHCHR to pursue further on this issue. We reiterate that the Human Rights Council, which is also subsidiary body of the General Assembly is not the appropriate forum for discussing an issue like WPS agenda. Bringing a resolution on this Agenda with an outcome goes beyond the scope of the Council.

Thank you, Madam President.