Statement by India under Agenda Item 5: Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India on 24 March 2022 during 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, Geneva (28 February – 1 April 2022)
****
Mr. Vice-President,
My delegation acknowledges the role of Special Procedures in strengthening the capacity of member States in the promotion and protection of human rights.
- 2.We believe that the trust between member States and Special Procedures mandate holders is a crucial element to ensure the effectiveness and success of Special Procedures in improving human rights situations. To engender trust, it is of utmost importance for Special Procedures to exercise their respective mandates responsibly with objectivity, neutrality, independence and impartiality, in compliance with the Code of Conduct, as stipulated in Resolution 5/2.
- 3.While we understand the need of the mandate holders to communicate their work to a wider audience through press releases and statements, we reiterate the need for them to do so sparingly and judiciously and only in rare cases where a public communication is the only means left to have the situation addressed. The press statements must be based on verified information, duly cross checked to the best extent possible, as emphasized in Articles 6 and 8 of the Code of Conduct. It is imperative to wait for the concerned country’s responses and to highlight the same in equal measure. The proclivity to resort to press releases and Tweets in order to name and shame countries should be curbed as it is unlikely to lead to any change on the ground. Further, the joint statements and press releases should not be deliberately timed to coincide with specific events with a view to embarrass the concerned States. There has been a growing and opportunistic tendency of groups of Special Rapporteurs coming together to issue press statements, with the only purpose to gain publicity.
- 4.In accordance with resolution 5/1, the selection and appointment of the mandate holders should be based on equitable geographic representation along with an appropriate representation of different legal systems. This would help in providing geographical, professional and cultural diversity, which is crucial in comprehending diverse countries with which mandate holders engage.
I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
****
