Statement by India under General Debate Agenda Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (27th February – 4th April 2023) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva 22nd March 2023] Statement by India under General Debate Agenda Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Coun..
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Statement by India under General Debate Agenda Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (27th February – 4th April 2023) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India [Geneva 22nd March 2023]

Statement by India under General Debate Agenda Item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention at the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council (27th February – 4th April 2023) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India

[Geneva 22nd March 2023]

Mr. Vice President,

1.  As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is important to also assess the Human Rights Council’s achievements, reflect on its shortcomings and deliberate on the ways to strengthen and reform it, so as to enable it to achieve the objectives for which it has been set up. 

2.  The Council has been envisaged to provide an impetus to international cooperation and collaboration for realization of the goal of global promotion and protection of human rights for all. However, it has not been successful in achieving this goal in full measure.

3.  We reiterate our concern at the proliferation of country specific mandates under this agenda item, focusing selectively at human rights situations in a few countries. The deliberations in the Council under this agenda item have been non-conducive to realization of the intended goals of promotion and protection of human rights.

4.  Enjoyment of human rights by people globally has faced challenges such as terrorism and violent extremism, climate change and lack of sustainable development. While functioning in such a challenging environment, it is unproductive for the discourse within the Council to be politicized and polarized. We are concerned at the lack of commitment and opportunities for building consensus, with the Council adopting resolutions having the support of less than 50% of its member States.

5.  India strongly believes that the Council needs to function in a cooperative, objective, non-confrontational and non-politicized manner. It is important that the Council focuses on creating a conducive environment, both at the national and the global levels, under which States are encouraged and enabled to fulfill their human rights obligations.

6.  We believe that enhancement of the capacity of States through technical assistance and capacity building measures, in consultation with and with the consent of the States concerned and creative use of UPR mechanism are the best ways towards improving the human rights situation around the world.

Mr. Vice - President,

7.  We hope that the Council and its institutions should work constructively towards global goal of promotion and protection of human rights.

I thank you.