Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
Human Rights Council: 25th Session ( 3-28 March 2014):
High Level Dialogue with relevant United Nations entities on the promotion of preventive approaches within the United Nations system
Statement by India
(4 March 2014)
Mr. President,
1.We thank the distinguished panelists for their remarks. We welcome this opportunity to focus on the issue of Prevention of human rights violations, which is an important aspect of the promotion of human rights. We hope our dialogue today will contribute to our cooperative effort in the work the Human Rights Council. Mr. President,
2. The primary responsibility to promote and protect human rights rests with the States. It is imperative that we fully respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all UN member-states, including when this Council considers human rights themes, situations and strategies. It is important that peculiarities and contexts of each State are kept in mind. The international community, including this Council, must respect the rights of each State to organize and manage its affairs including in the field of human rights. All attempts to be prescriptive in this regard must be avoided.
3. We believe that the best approach to prevent human rights violations is strengthening national institutions through capacity building efforts so that they can function consistent with the rule of law and uphold human rights. The Human rights situation in a country is more likely to improve by actions taken by the state and its citizens rather than through an outside intervention. This is especially true in the long run as external actors can only provide support for a limited period. State institutions need to be adequately resourced, equipped, sensitized and made aware of human rights language. Familiarity with international human rights laws, treaties, conventions, and agencies must be fostered. This is the most sustainable method for sovereign governments to discharge their responsibility to promote and protect human rights.
4. Approaches to prevention must also pay serious attention to treatment of human rights information and report, particularly those relating human rights violations. Modern technology, especially the Internet has transformed the speed and reach of information. There is a plethora of versions available on any one issue. At the same time, attention needs to be paid to the damaging power of misinformation. States and other human rights actors including UN agencies must be mindful of the sources of information, be it from online or offline sources, based on which they formulate their approaches.
5. The role of the international community, including the relevant UN agencies, should be to enhance partnership with States. This should include higher allocations of financial, technical and human resources by donors and UN agencies and must be aligned with national priorities of the States concerned. Further, such assistance must be relevant to local actors using words, concepts and ideas that have local resonance. A standardized approach to developing and exporting training packages or assistance must be avoided. Finally Mr. President,
6. We commend the efforts and commitment of the OHCHR and relevant UN agencies in developing capacities of the countries. We hope that their commitment to capacity-building of States will be matched by adequate resources and that support will be provided based on the request of national governments and on mutual agreements.
Thank You Mr. President.
