Statement by India under Agenda Item 2: General Debate on the Oral Update of the High Commissioner at the 49th Session of Human Rights Council (28th February - 1st April, 2022) delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India, (Geneva, 8th March, 2022)
Madam Vice President,
I thank the High Commissioner for her oral update. However, we are dismayed at her ill-informed and uncalled for references to India.
I would like to remind her that India is a secular State and safeguarding the rights of minorities forms an essential core of our democratic polity. Our Constitution has enshrined basic human rights as fundamental rights. Our democratic institutions, including the watchful Parliament and independent judiciary, vibrant media and civil society ensure enjoyment of human rights by all Indian citizens, including minorities. We have robust internal mechanisms to address any grievance faced by any citizen of India, including minorities.
Madam Vice President,
India has been at the forefront of global action and discourse on promotion and protection of human rights. As a democratic, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural society, we bring a pluralistic, moderate and balanced perspective to deliberations in the Council.
India’s abiding commitment to promotion and protection of human rights has been manifest in our strategy to deal with COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at saving both lives and livelihoods. While meeting our own huge needs, we have offered vaccines, essential medicines and equipment to more than 150 countries.
Madam Vice President,
India remains committed to ensuring that all basic needs of our citizens, including women, girls and minorities, are fully met. It is imperative to achieve sustainable and inclusive development for realisation of basic human rights. We have made tremendous progress in realisation of these mutually reinforcing objectives. To empower the marginalized and vulnerable sections of our society, we have undertaken targeted policy interventions by increasing access to education, housing, healthcare, social welfare, basic services, employment and finances.
Over the past seven and half decades, India has undergone enormous political, social, economic and cultural transformation, in a democratic environment, which is unprecedented in the world. We are committed to continue this journey, while promoting and protecting human rights of our people.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
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