Statement by India under Agenda Item 4 : General Debate Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council (24 February – 4 April 2025) delivered by Mr. Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor, Geneva, 20 March 2025
Mr. Vice President,
India has consistently maintained that discussions within the Human Rights Council must be free from politicization and polarization. For the Council to be effective, it must foster a fair and balanced discourse. We reiterate that enhancing state capacities through technical assistance and capacity-building measures, with the consent of concerned states, coupled with effective implementation of accepted UPR recommendations, represents the most productive path forward.
- 2. The Council must operate in an objective, constructive, and non-confrontational manner to fulfill its core mandate—promoting and protecting human rights for all. The increasing number of country-specific mandates under this agenda item has not contributed meaningfully to this goal. Such selective approaches divert valuable time and resources from addressing pressing global challenges affecting human rights.
- 3. As the world faces crises such as conflict, terrorism, climate change, and lack of sustainable development, it is crucial that the Council pursues a focused, consensus-driven, and non-politicized approach. We urge that principles of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality be reflected not only in words but also in action.
Mr. Vice President
- 4. It is unfortunate that one delegation has once again made a baseless and malicious reference to India in its statement, which we categorically reject.
Thank you.
