General comments by India during consideration of the Resolution on Freedom of Opinion and Expression at the 56th Session of Human Rights Council (18 June - 12 July 2024) delivered by Mr. Kshitij Tyagi, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 10 July 2024
Mr. President,
India thanks the core group for presenting the draft resolution on “Freedom of Opinion and Expression”. We reiterate that the exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression is an essential foundation of a democratic society and is further enabled by a democratic environment that offers guarantees for its protection. It enables people to be vigilant about their rights and enhances their capacity to participate in the decision-making process, protection and promotion of all human rights, including the right to development. In this context, the draft resolution on Freedom of opinion and expression, which has had a long tradition at the Human rights Council and the erstwhile Human Rights Commission, is an important initiative. We are of the view that promoting the enjoyment of this right would have a multiplier impact on other rights as well.
- Incidents of terrorism and national security sometimes force the governments to temporarily suspend internet services. Such exceptional measures should not become a norm and should be followed as per clearly laid out procedures and strict safeguards. We reiterate that connectivity, access to information and communications technology, are critical for the enjoyment of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. We also firmly believe that the right to freedom of opinion and expression should not be used to target individuals, provoke stigmatization and violence. In the day of social media and online news, such acts of hate speech have an impact on social harmony across frontiers.
- Therefore, we are of the view that reasonable restrictions in accordance with national laws in exercising freedom of opinion and expression would be required to maintain peace, harmony, public order, safety and security of the people in line with ICCPR’s Articles 19 (3) and 20 and other applicable international human rights instruments.
Thank you.
