Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery at the 51^st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary Permanent Mission of India

(Geneva, 15 September 2022)

Mr. President,

We thank the Special Rapporteur for presentation of his report on contemporary forms of slavery affecting persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minority communities.

2.Principles of Equality and non-discrimination enshrined in our Constitution, and strengthened by various legislative, executive and judicial measures provide protection for members of religious minorities as well as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other vulnerable segments of Indian society. Poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and lack of development remain the primary reasons for persistence of contemporary forms of slavery, like forced or compulsory labour, trafficking, and child labour, including among minority communities. India is fully aware of these challenges and has been addressing them through a comprehensive and holistic approach.

3.In our efforts to achieve SDG 8 and to completely eradicate child labour and its worst forms, we have ratified ILO conventions 138 and 182 on child labour and amended our domestic legislations to prohibit all forms of child labour below 14 years of age and prevent employment of children from 14-18 years in hazardous occupations.

4.India is fullycommitted to take decisive steps to combat trafficking in persons and support and protect victims, including implementation of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols. A new comprehensive legislation on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, covering all aspects including prosecution, prevention and protection of victims, witnesses and complainants, as well as rehabilitation of victims, is under consideration.