PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA TO UN, GENEVA

26th Session of the Human Rights Council
(10-27 June 2014)

Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Independent Expert on International Solidarity and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking
[13 June 2014]

Statement of India

Mr Vice-President,

We thank the Independent Expert on International Solidarity and the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking for their respective reports.

We appreciate the Independent Expert on International Solidarity for her efforts in advancing the concept and principles of International Solidarity and submitting the proposed draft declaration on the Rights of peoples and individuals to International Solidarity.

Mr Vice-President,

Long before anyone could ever imagine that the phenomenon of globalization and ubiquitous communication technologies would make us interdependent and interconnected in so many ways and long before there could be any talk of global partnerships, the concept of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "World as a single family" was espoused in India. The spirit of international solidarity was so ingrained into our philosophy and thinking that even while we were fighting our own struggle for independence it guided us and reminded us of our solemn duty to support freedom movements across the world and stand for the fundamental rights of all people.

We believe that it is the right of every peoples to international solidarity and it is the duty of every state to promote international cooperation; and this should come without any conditionality, should be on the basis of mutual respect and in full compliance with principles and purposes of the UN charter.

At a time, when the gap between actual aid disbursements and commitments made by developed countries has widened and aid flows to developing countries have also declined in real terms, it is important for states to respect and recommit themselves to the principles of international solidarity, shared responsibilities and collaborative partnerships and fulfill their individual commitments.

Mr Vice-President,

International solidarity, however, should not be seen narrowly as limited to international assistance and cooperation, aid, charity or humanitarian assistance; it is a broader concept and principle that includes sustainability in international relations, especially international economic relations, the peaceful coexistence of all members of the international community, equal partnerships and the equitable sharing of benefits and burdens.

In this context, International Solidarity is of critical relevance to the post-2015 Development Agenda. It is imperative to come together as one human family to address new and emerging challenges confronting all peoples and countries, and unify in peace and common purpose to not only create a global development framework based on genuine global partnerships but also to preserve and save our planet for ourselves and for our future generations.

And in this spirit, we look forward to a constructive engagement on the proposed draft declaration and wish the Independent Expert the very best.

Mr Vice-President

The importance of international cooperation and collaborative action is critically demonstrated in the context of addressing the global challenge of human trafficking especially women and children. We align ourselves with the joint statement made by Belarus on behalf on the Group of Friends on Trafficking.

The 11 pillars identified by the Special Rapporteur in her report support the shaping of a coherent and comprehensive vision of an effective and rights-based response to trafficking. We agree with the Special Rapporteur that we need to look at the root causes of trafficking and tackle them in earnest collaboration. The international community should come together for addressing the demand aspects that fuel trafficking. Ensuring a safe environment for migration through creation of opportunities for legal, gainful and non-exploitative migration is crucial in this regard for preventing future trafficking. We also need to realise that poverty remains the major cause that increases the vulnerability of families and especially of women and children to turn victims of trafficking. Combating trafficking, therefore, needs a holistic approach. It is equally important to ensure that the measures employed do not themselves negatively affect individual rights and freedoms.

Mr Vice-President,

The government of India has adopted a comprehensive approach to prevent and combat trafficking in persons. A new Anti-trafficking provision has been included under Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, which covers trafficking for various purposes such as physical exploitation, slavery, servitude, forced removal of organs and also includes sexual exploitation. The definition of trafficking has also been harmonized in all the major laws dealing with this crime. 225 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) have been set up in as many districts across the country to strengthen law enforcement response against trafficking, and a comprehensive scheme 'Ujjawala', is being implemented to combat trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation. On the rehabilitation front, the new Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 provides for immediate rehabilitation of child victims trafficked for sexual exploitation. Government is also currently updating the Integrated Plan of Action to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking with special focus on Children and Women.

The need of strengthening bilateral, regional and international cooperative measures for the effective tackling of Trafficking in persons needs no reemphasis. In this regard, we welcome the adoption of GA Resolution 68/192 of December 2013 on "Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons" and also appreciate the efforts of Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons. Our own efforts to enhance regional cooperation saw the recent development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for repatriation and long-term reintegration of victims of trafficking under the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking of Women and Children in Prostitution.

Before we conclude,

We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her contributions to this council and wish the very best in her future endeavours.

Thank you Mr Vice-President.

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