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Statement by India on behalf of LMG countries in the General Debate under Agenda Item 3 at the 51st ..

Statement by India on behalf of LMG countries in the General Debate under Agenda Item 3 at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Ambassador Priyanka Chauhan, Deputy Permanent Representative of India, Geneva, 21 September 2022

Statement by India on behalf of LMG countries in the General Debate under Agenda Item 3 at the 51^st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Ambassador Priyanka Chauhan, Deputy Permanent Representative of India, Geneva

21 September 2022

Mr. Vice-President,

India has the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Like-Minded Group of countries. The list of supporting States will be updated on HRC Extranet.

2.The COVID-19 pandemic and the lingering multiple crises in its wake have led to unprecedented setbacks to the enjoyment of human rights by people globally. Their impact continues to be disproportionately felt in the developing countries and has brought into focus the significance of the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights.

3.We are strongly of the view that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing and that the Human Rights Council should be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, and constructive international dialogue and cooperation to enhance the promotion and protection of all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development, in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis.

4.Now, more than ever before, there is need for the Council to ensure balance in its work by giving due attention to the effective enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights. As we commemorate the 35^th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Right to Development, we support its mainstreaming within the UN system. Emphasis must be placed on the achievement of sustainable development goals as they contribute to the enjoyment of human rights and ensure ‘no one is left behind’. The Council should further promote human rights education and learning as well as provide greater advisory services, technical assistance and capacity-building, in consultation with and with the consent of States concerned.

5.In accordance with GA resolution 60/251, the methods of the Council should be transparent, fair and impartial and enable genuine dialogue and be results-oriented. The human rights agenda, including the Council’s contribution towards prevention of human rights violations, must be pursued with due respect for the principles of UN Charter such as national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs of States. In our view, proliferation of country-specific mandates that do not enjoy the support of the States concerned does not lead to improvement in the human rights situation on the ground. Efforts must be made to build consensus on vital issues of universal concern within the Council.

I thank you.

List of countries that supported the above statement is as under:

1.Venezuela

2.Yemen

3.Egypt

4.Singapore

5.Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

6.United Arab Emirates

7.Iran

8.Saudi Arabia

9.Algeria

10.South Sudan