Statement by India during General Debate under Agenda Item 10 : Technical assistance and capacity-building at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Ms. Seema Pujani, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva
(6 October, 2022)
Madam Vice-President,
We thank the Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the presentation of their reports.
India strongly believes that the the primary responsibility for promotion and protection of human rights lies with the States. In order to supplement States’ national efforts, the Council should provide greater technical assistance and capacity building, in consultation with and with the consent of the concerned States, for the improvement of human rights situation on the ground.
We are of the view that the sanctity of agenda item 10 should be maintained, and its politicisation should be avoided. The gaps in the progressive realisation of human rights should be addressed in a fair and just manner, guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation and with due respect to principles of non-interference in internal affairs of States and their national sovereignty.
Madam Vice-President,
In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of technical assistance and capacity building cannot be overemphasised. Adequate resources must be allocated to the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights enabling it to support the States in strengthening their human rights framework. It is encouraging to note the increase in contributions from States to support the Fund in extending technical cooperation in 2021. India has also made its modest annual voluntary contribution of USD 400,000 to the UN Voluntary Funds for 2022.
Development cooperation, especially South-South cooperation, is a pillar of India’s foreign policy and has always been guided by our partners’ development priorities. It is exemplified by our flagship training and capacity building programme, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme that covers over 160 countries, our grants-in-aid projects of over USD 4 billion as well as our concessional Lines of Credit to more than 64 countries.
Supporting the global fight against the pandemic, in the spirit of solidarity, India has provided COVID-19 related medical and other assistance to over 150 countries. Since January 2021, over 267 million doses of COVID vaccines have been supplied to 99 countries and 2 UN entities in the form of grant, through commercial export or the COVAX facility. We have also strongly advocated for the principle of equity in WHO and WTO.
India is committed to contributing to the global promotion and protection of human rights.
I thank you.
I thank you.
