Statement by India under Agenda Item 2: General debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner at the 57th Session of Human Rights Council (09 September-11 October 2024) delivered by Mr. Muhammed Shabeer K, Under Secretary, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 11 September 2024
Mr. President
1. India notes High Commissioner’s impactful statement during his Global Update. India is fully committed to ensure the welfare and inclusive development of all its people, ensuring political representation, delivering social justice, safeguarding and protecting rights of the most vulnerable.
2. India’s Constitution enshrines human rights as fundamental rights, and an active and independent judiciary has upheld it fiercely. Our institutional strengths and participatory process have built-in checks and mechanisms to ensure compliance with human rights commitments.
3. The recently concluded general elections, which was the largest democratic exercise in the history of the humankind with 970 million eligible voters is a glowing testimony to India’s commitment to human rights.
Mr. President
4. India believes that enhanced economic, social and cultural rights have a profound impact on people’s ability to exercise their civil and political rights. When all human rights are promoted and protected together, it ensures long term development that not only guarantees fundamental freedoms but also ensures the ‘Right to development’. With a governance philosophy of inclusive development for all – “Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas’, the idea is to ensure that no one is left behind.
5. We have increasingly used digital public goods and technologies to ensure cost-effective last mile connectivity and accessibility of public goods and services. Our consummate Digital Public Infrastructure, has ensured financial inclusion for most of our 1.4billion population in just six years. It has also ensured that rights and dues of the citizens are delivered with scale, speed, and transparency.
Mr. President
6. Let me conclude by reiterating that India believes that promotion and protection of human rights are best pursued through dialogue, consultation and cooperation among States. We should continue to uphold non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity in our pursuit. India remains committed to a constructive engagement with the Council and the OHCHR for global promotion and protection of human rights.
I thank you.
