Statement by India at the Organizational Meeting of Human Rights Council for the 19th cycle of the Human Rights Council delivered by Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India

[Geneva, 9th December 2024]

Thank you Mr. President,

My delegation takes this opportunity to thank Members of the Bureau on the successful conduct of the Human Rights Council this year. Special word of thanks to you personally Ambassador Zniber for your leadership of this august body. We would also like to thank the co facilitators, regional coordinators and the Secretariat for their tireless work during the entire year.

2. ​Let me also congratulate the PR of Switzerland Ambassador Jurg Lauber for his election as President of the Council for the year 2025 and our felicitations the PRs of Bangladesh, Romania, Democratic Republic of Congo on their election as Vice Presidents of the Council. We are look forward to working closely with the Bureau and members of the Council.

3.​ This has been a difficult year. The world appears to be starkly divided. Multiple conflicts rage. Today, more than ever before, the value of human rights needs to be re-emphasized.

4.​ We also witnessed this year the Council meeting for unprecedented 15 weeks in 2024, the longest in its history. While this may demonstrate the growing importance of human rights discourse, to many of us it highlights that working methods and questions of efficiency need urgent attention. We signed on to the consensus on having the 16 weeks in the Presidential statement albeit some discomfort in extending this period of this Council’s meetings. The multiplication of mandates and resolutions has led to fragmentation of human rights discourse.

Mr. President,

5. ​Let me emphasize following key points quickly for the Council's consideration as we move ahead to 2025:

(i) ​First, the Council's work must continue to be guided by non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity. The practice of prioritizing divisive mandates over consensus-based ones does not serve the institution's purpose of speaking with one voice.

(ii)​ Second, in light of the outcomes of the Pact for the Future, there is a need to prioritize work on SDGs and thematic issues that affect the developing world. A lot of this could be undertaken through mandates that are already available with the Council.

(iii)​ Third, there are pitfalls of detailed discussions in the Council on issues that are meant to be led by other specialized organizations and entities.

(iv) ​Fourth, there is an urgent need to evolve a system that is self-regulating and not outweighed by its own burgeoning mandates. Comprehensive review of mandates, discussing their overlaps and an attempt to coalesce the fragmented human rights discourse should be at the centre of this debate.

(v)​ And Fifth, consultation and consent of the concerned State should continue to be the benchmark for technical assistance and capacity building. This not only leads to effective implementation, but also builds trust of the UN and other international multilateral institutions.

Mr. President,

6.​ As India concludes her two consecutive terms in the Council, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights. We are thankful for all the support extended by other Council Members and Observers as well as to the OHCHR during our term as a Council Member. We look forward to engaging as effectively and as strongly as an Observer in this august body.

Thank you, Mr. President.