Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 19 March 2021) Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia an..
  • Home > 46th Session of Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) > Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 19 March 2021)

Statement by India under General Debate, Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
in the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council (22 February – 23 March 2021) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary,
Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 19 March 2021)

Madam President,

We thank the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for her oral update on systemic racism, violations of international human rights law against Africans and people of African descent by law enforcement agencies. We also thank her for the follow-up report on combating intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of, and discrimination, incitement to violence and violence against, persons based on religion or belief. 

2. India regards intolerance and racial discrimination as the anti-thesis of everything humanity stands for i.e., equality, justice, peace and progress.

3. It is unfortunate that rise of extremism and fundamentalism has led to the rise of racial hatred and segregation. This has created deep divisions in many countries and increase in the number of racist incidents in the recent past. Such acts continue to have a negative impact on the full enjoyment of human rights.

4. Conscious of the destructive impact that racism and racial discrimination can have on society, the founding fathers of Indian Constitution built adequate safeguards against racism and racial discrimination and enshrined the basic value of equality in it. They have been further strengthened by our comprehensive legal framework, with independent and impartial judiciary, a secular and pluralistic polity, a vibrant civil society and free media.

Madam President,

5. To foster inclusive development and guarantee the respect for human rights in situations of growing mistrust and hatred climate, we firmly believe that the framework of Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) provides necessary guidance in addressing contemporary forms of racism, including new forms such as hate speech on digital platforms.

I thank you, Madam President.

*****