Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva (28 February – 1 April 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India on 28 March 2022 Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms ..

Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva (28 February – 1 April 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India on 28 March 2022

Statement by India under Agenda Item 9: Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related forms of Intolerance, follow-up to and Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action at the 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva (28 February – 1 April 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India on 28 March 2022

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Mr. Vice-President,

      We take note of the High Commissioner’s annual report to the Council, as mandated, and also the observations and views on potential follow-up measures for further improving the implementation of the action plan. We have provided relevant information to prepare this report. My delegation rejects the negative references to India contained in the Report.

2.    India regards racism and racial discrimination as the anti-thesis to the spirit of humanity. It is a negation of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our Constitution enshrined safeguards against racism and racial discrimination.

3.    We acknowledge that the religious intolerance, stigmatization, negative stereotyping and discrimination, including issues of extremism and radicalization, shall be effectively addressed through peer-to-peer learning, educational programmes, cultural activities, dialogues and public information measures and media campaigns, including online platforms.

4.    We thank the Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action for the activities that it has undertaken this year. We take note of the report of the Working Group submitted to the Council, as mandated.

5.    We believe that the report and its conclusions/recommendations would serve as an effective tool to increase visibility, identify gaps and guide the formulation of policies and actions to prevent, combat and eradicate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance which threatens the enjoyment of human rights around the globe.

6.    My delegation welcomes the Working Group recommendation urging States to strengthen the public policies to ensure equal access to education for all, measures to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace and steps to eliminate barriers and to curb hate speech and hate crimes.

 

          I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

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