Statement by India at the 27th Session of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee (21 to 25 February, 2022) under Item 3 (e) on ‘Advancement of Racial Justice and Equality’ delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva, 22 February 2022]

Thank you, Chair,

We welcome the study by the Advisory Committee on ‘Advancement of Racial Justice and Equality’, pursuant to mandate of HRC resolution 48/18.

2. India is a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society based on equality and tolerance. As a country that was under colonial rule for nearly two centuries, India is painfully aware of the detrimental impact of racism and racial discrimination on the society.

3. To safeguard against occurrence of such abhorrent practices, Constitution of India upholds the principle of equality and expressly prohibits discrimination on account of race. It is regrettable that the international community is currently witnessing intensified forms of racial inequality.

4. We firmly believe that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) continues to provide a comprehensive framework for combating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in their contemporary manifestations.

5. There is an increased recognition of the inter-linkages between combating these challenges and full implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. This has further enhanced the relevance of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action in today’s context.

6. In an interconnected world, social media has emerged as a platform for amplifying racial hatred and discriminatory ideas what are otherwise fringe opinions. This trend, if unchecked, can harm the social cohesion. States must intensify efforts to prevent and combat racial hatred and discrimination, taking into consideration the need to strike a balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and advocacy of hatred leading to racial discrimination and violence. Partnerships with private sector and civil society are critical to address this issue.

7. In conclusion, we express our firm support to the work of the Advisory Committee and look forward to benefit from its study on Advancement of Racial Justice and Equality.

I thank you Chair.

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