Statement during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of India in the 41^st session of the UPR Working Group (7-18 November 2022) delivered by Prof. Sri Krishna Deva Rao, Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi

[Geneva, 10^th November 2022]

Thank you for giving me the floor.

Mr. President,

I am Prof. Sri Krishna Deva Rao, representing the National Law University, Delhi. We prepared the first draft of the National Report of India, at the request of the Ministry of External Affairs.

2. We closely followed the relevant guidelines of the OHCHR for the preparation and efforts were made to make it as exhaustive and inclusive as possible. The task required rigorous and comprehensive survey of the status of enjoyment of human rights in India, the governmental initiatives undertaken to enhance the same and the challenges the country has been facing in the realisation of human rights for its people. We therefore, consulted several Ministries and Departments of the Government of India relevant initiatives, schemes and programmes to reflect in the Report, their contributions and the challenges to India’s human rights faced.

3. In addition, our report benefitted from extensive consultations with other stakeholders consisting of non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, academia, National Human Rights Institutions, Judiciary and domain experts. These consultations reflected different perspectives and diversity of views in the Report.

4. The Report before you offers a comprehensive picture of India’s achievements in realisation of its human rights obligations.

Thank you.

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