Statement by India at the Intersessional Meeting under HRC Res 43/29 on the Prevention of Genocide delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 10 February 2021]

Thank you, Chair.

            We thank the OHCHR for organizing this inter-sessional meeting and also thank all the distinguished Speakers and panelists for their insightful remarks and presentations.

Madam Chair,

          For my delegation, the Council’s Resolution 43/29 is a logical culmination of a process that began when India, Cuba and Panama co-sponsored one of the first resolutions in the UN General Assembly 96 (1) of 11 December, 1946, which mandated the drafting of the Convention on Genocide. India is a party to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. The key principles, “prevention and punishment” embodied in the Convention are part of general international law and therefore already part of common law of India.

           The provisions of Indian Penal Code including the procedural law (Criminal Procedure Code) provide effective penalties for persons guilty of crime of genocide and take cognizance of the acts which may be otherwise taken to be in the nature of genocide, as culpable offences.

Madam Chair,

            To prevent genocide, we believe that the national capacities to be developed in terms of human rights education and training; the preservation of archives and the provision of victims with access to an effective remedy.

          We are in favour of States taking stronger legal measures to reject the crime of genocide, which will ensure that this pernicious act remains outside the pale of civilized human behaviour. India extends its support, in accordance with the provisions of the UN Charter, in providing early warning of situations where populations face the threat of genocide, so that the international community can act in time to ensure “never again”.

         To conclude, India is firmly committed to strengthening our national capacities capacities for the prevention of genocide.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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