General Comments by India on consideration of the Resolution on “Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers” at the 53 rd Session of Human Rights Council (19 June - 14 July 2023) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 13 July 2023
Mr. President,
An independent judiciary and legal system are indispensable for upholding rule of law, democracy and human rights including fundamental freedoms.
2. Our vibrant and independent judiciary has been one of the key pillars of our democratic polity. It has, through landmark judgements and innovative mechanisms, ensured and enhanced the justiciability of human rights,including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, of our citizens. India’s legal system is regulated by the Advocates Act, 1961.
3. The draft resolution L.6 under consideration aims at extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur for a period of three years. We believe that the mandate is important to promote and strengthen the efforts towards upholding independent and impartial judiciary and an independent legal profession, which are essential prerequisites for promotion and protection of human rights and application of rule of law and for ensuring fair legal system.
4. In light of this, India supports extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and calls upon other Members to adopt the draft resolution L.6 by consensus.
I thank you.
