Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 6, Universal Periodic Review 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, Second Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 18 March 2021)

Madam President,

          India firmly believes that the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council is an effective instrument for promotion and protection of human rights. It is a good example of how engaging with the Council can help States in the progressive realisation of their human rights obligations.

          We support the constructive and participatory format of the review process which accords primacy to the decisions by States on acceptance of the recommendations, taking into account their respective social, political and economic circumstances. The conduct of the review in an objective, transparent, non-selective, non-confrontational and non-politicised manner is the key to the success of the UPR mechanism. The mechanism should therefore not be tinkered with, as it carries the potential of diluting the universal support it enjoys.

Madam President,

          India is of the view that the review process should focus on all human rights in equal measure. We also believe that more time should be allotted by the Council for the review process to allow a fruitful exchange of views between States and other stakeholders.

          When it comes to implementation of UPR recommendations, the national or domestic mechanisms are best placed to translate them into concrete outcomes. It is often seen that the lack of progress on part of States has less to do with the lack of willingness but more a result of the lack of capacity to achieve identified targets.

          Therefore, if capacity building and technical assistance were to proceed together with the review process, it would go a long way in assisting countries to meet their human rights obligations and commitments. Such assistance and capacity building, undertaken in consultation with and with the consent of the concerned State, would contribute to the improvement of human rights situation on the ground and address gaps in implementation.

Madam President,

          The UPR Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance has been in existence since 2007 to help countries implement UPR recommendations. In our view,  the Fund and other capacity building initiatives under the aegis of United Nations should focus on the recommendations accepted by the States themselves which would further strengthen the UPR mechanism as well as improve the human rights situation on the ground.

Thank you, Madam President.

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