Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the SR on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, (Geneva, 05 July 2022) Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the SR on Contemporary Forms of Ra..
  • Home > 50th Session of the Human Rights Council (13 June - 08 July 2022) > Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the SR on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, (Geneva, 05 July 2022)

Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the SR on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, (Geneva, 05 July 2022)

Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Interactive dialogue with the SR on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance, during the 50th Session of Human Rights Council (13 June – 8 July 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary

(Geneva, 05 July 2022)

Madam Vice-President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her reports.

  1. India is a diverse, multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual society based on equality and respect. As a country that was under colonial rule for nearly two centuries, India is aware of the detrimental impact of racism and racial discrimination.
  1. 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 still witnessing intensified forms of racial inequality.
  1. On SR’s finding that the 2030 Agenda fails adequately to address the systemic racism and xenophobia, we believe that stark and persisting economic inequality is fueling one of the factors the racial bias. Special measures and affirmative action in favour of socially and economically disadvantaged segments of society is essential to combat discrimination and break the link between poverty and racism. Implementation of Right to development is considered one of the important tools to achieve it.
  1. 5. In conclusion, let me reiterate that India remains fully committed to eliminate all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Thank you, Madam Vice-President.

*****