General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution A/HRC/51/L.29 on “The Role of Prevention in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights: Rule of Law and Accountability” at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council (12 September - 7 October 2022) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva
(6 October, 2022)
Mr. President,
Rule of law and accountability, good governance and access to justice are essential for safeguarding fundamental freedoms and promoting and protecting human rights for all.
We note that the operating paras of the resolution under consideration inter-alia recognize the role played by special procedures and other investigative bodies towards the prevention of human rights violations and abuses. India firmly believes that all HRC mechanisms of fact-finding and investigation should strictly follow their mandates and must be guided by the principles of impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity, in the spirit of constructive dialogue and cooperation, as tasked by the General Assembly resolution 60/251.
We reiterate that the core mandate of the Human Rights Council and all its mechanisms is promotion and protection of all human rights. We are of the view that any attempt to broaden the prevention aspect beyond the scope as stipulated in UN General Assembly resolution 60/251, should be decided by the General Assembly alone and not by the Council.
I thank you, Mr. President.
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