Statement by India under Agenda Item 3 : Interactive dialogue on OHCHR report on economic, social and cultural rights, and COVID-19 recovery at the 54th Session of Human Rights Council (11 September - 13 October 2023) delivered by Dr. P.R. Thulasidass, Under Secretary, Geneva, 18 September 2023
Mr. President,
We welcome OHCHR’s vision report and take due note of its recommendations.
- We agree that the divide between civil and political rights (CPR) and economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) that has characterized the human rights discourse since the adoption of UDHR is untenable for both achieving the SDGs as well as the promotion and protection of human rights.
- All human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. CPR and ESCR are mutually reinforcing. We share concerns about the huge setbacks to the progress made in realization of human rights due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, we support the strengthening of OHCHR’s work towards implementation of ESCR to ensure that equal attention is paid to them and we build back better.
- OHCHR has identified important areas for action. In our view, it must focus on supplementing and strengthening the national efforts of States, especially from the Global South, to tackle the key challenges faced by them through the provision of technical assistance and capacity building with their consent and at their request.
- A calibrated approach must be followed for enhancing OHCHR’s capacity and expertise in a phased manner to begin with at the head office and building on it, thereafter, in its other presences taking into account previous experience and specific context.
I thank you.
