Statement by India under General Debate on Agenda Item 4 - Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 48th Session of the Human Rights Council (13^th September – 8^th October, 2021), delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India
[Geneva, 24^th September, 2021]

Madam President,

15 years have passed since the establishment of the Human Rights Council. It is time for us to assess its achievements, reflect on its failures and deliberate on the ways to strengthen and reform it so as to enable it to achieve the objectives for which it has been set up.  The Council has been envisaged as a platform for providing impetus to international cooperation and collaboration for realization of the goal of global promotion and protection of all human rights for all. It has not been successful in achieving this goal in full measure.

2. Enjoyment of human rights by people globally has faced challenges such as terrorism and violent extremism, climate change and lack of sustainable development. Covid-19 pandemic has also affected the enjoyment of basic rights by people, especially those in vulnerable situations. While functioning in such a challenging environment, the discourse within the Council has been politicized and polarized. There is a lack of commitment to building consensus and the Council has adopted resolutions with support of less than 50% of its members States. The Council needs to function in a constructive, non-confrontational, non-politicized and objective manner.

3. We reiterate our concern at the perpetuation and proliferation of country specific mandates under this agenda item, focusing selectively at human rights situation in a few countries. The deliberations in the Council under this agenda item have been unproductive and non-conducive to realization of the goals.

4. The Council should focus on creating a conducive environment condition, both at the national and global levels, under which States are encouraged and enabled to fulfill their human rights obligations. We believe that enhancement of State’s capacity through technical assistance and capacity building measures, in consultation with and with the consent of the States concerned, is the best way towards improving the human rights situation. It is important that while rendering technical assistance and capacity building the priority is accorded to implementation of accepted UPR recommendations.

Thank you, Madam President.

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