Closing Remarks during adoption of the Report of the 4^th Universal Periodic Review of India at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council delivered by Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey, Permanent Representative of India

[Geneva, 27 March 2023]

 Mr. Vice-President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Good afternoon, Namaskar!

    On behalf of delegation of India, I thank you all for your constructive participation in adoption of the outcome report of our 4^th Universal Periodic Review. We appreciate the engagement of fellow Member States, Observers and civil society organisations with our UPR process.

2.   During our review in November 2022, we had made a comprehensive presentation on the progress in implementation of our human rights obligations. We had also responded to the issues raised by Member States. We had outlined the initiatives that we have taken to fulfill our human rights obligations, including our success in realization of Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030 and strengthening of our inclusive polity, economy and society. We have taken note of the views and recommendations expressed today by Member States and the civil society organisations.

3.   India has attached a high importance to the UPR mechanism as the most effective mechanism of the Council to realise the goal of global promotion and protection of human rights which enjoys universal support. We have been actively participating in the UPRs of fellow Member States. In our view, the UPR mechanism enables the Member States to take into account the views of fellow Member States and voluntarily accept their recommendations and assume additional obligations. We believe that the lack of progress in fulfilling human rights obligations by Member States is often due to lack of their capacity. Therefore, we believe that a greater emphasis needs to be placed on technical assistance and capacity-building, in consultation with and with the consent of the concerned States, for improving the human rights situation on the ground.

4.   In this context, we appreciate the support provided by the Voluntary Funds for Participation in the UPR and for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the UPR for developing countries, especially the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). For this reason, we have also been contributing to the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the UPR.

5.   As a member of this Council, we have supported and pursued dialogue, consultation, cooperation and consensus. We are of the view that the Council should be guided by the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity in dealing with various human rights situations.

6.   I would like to reiterate that India is committed to treat all human rights on an equal footing. We attach equal significance to effective realisation of both the civil and political as well as economic, social and cultural rights. We believe that equal attention must be paid to economic, social and cultural rights, at par with civil and political rights, in the work of the Council as well as the Office of the High Commissioner. We support mainstreaming of the Right to Development within the UN system and we believe that realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is essential to enable people to effectively enjoy their other rights.

Mr. Vice-President,

7.   India demonstrates that diversity can co-exist and prosper in a vibrant democracy. Isolated incidents or the odd exceptions, compounded by geo-political complexities cannot define the positive accomplishment of 1.4 billion people celebrating free will and the rule of law.

8.   Let me conclude, Mr. Vice-President, by reiterating that the Government of India is resolutely committed to promotion and protection of human rights of our people, including through providing good governance and realising inclusive and sustainable development for the welfare of our people. We are committed to further strengthening our institutional, legislative and administrative framework for better enjoyment of human rights by our people. We are aware of the challenges that we face in doing so but we remain steadfast in our endeavours to achieve these goals.

I thank you, Mr. Vice-President.