Statement by India under General Debate Agenda Item 5: General Debate on the Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms at the 51st Session of the Human Rights Council Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India,
(Geneva, 29th September 2022)
Mr. President,
We attach a high importance to the fundamental role of technical assistance and capacity-building in global protection and promotion of human rights. We appreciate the role played by the OHCHR in providing technical assistance and capacity building. All such activities should be undertaken with the consent of the States concerned.
- We thank the Advisory Committee for the activities that it has undertaken this year. The importance of Advisory Committee in providing expert advice to the Council is ever growing. With the equitable geographical representation of its membership, the Committee brings in a comprehensive understanding of the issues.
- The Special Procedures are an important mechanism of the Council for a “genuine dialogue for strengthening the capacity of member states”. It is of utmost importance that mandate holders carry out their duties in conformity with the Code of Conduct as stipulated in Resolution 5/2 and in accordance to their respective mandates. This would engender mutual confidence and trust with the member States.
- We reiterate that, while issuing press releases and statements, the Special Procedures should take in to account the perspectives of and the information provided by member States. They should ensure that their statements and press releases are based on verified information as emphasized in Articles 6 and 8 of the Code of Conduct. They should use the social media platforms to comment on the issues judiciously and only in rarest of occasions, when all other means of communications with the States have been utilised.
- In addition, due weightage should be given to the challenges faced by the member States. The tendency to make presumptive conclusions based on unverified information, isolated instances and far-fetched assumptions should be avoided. SRs should exercise due care in joining others in issuing press releases and statements except in rarest of instances. These measures would strengthen constructive engagement with States.
I thank you, Mr. President.