Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
26th Session of the Human Rights Council
(10-27 June 2014)
Draft Resolution L.26/Rev.1-Titled “Accelerating Efforts to Eliminate all Forms of Violence Against Women as a Barrier to Women’s Political and Economic Empowerment”
General Statement by India
Mr. President,
1. India supports the draft resolution under consideration as it seeks to accelerate efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women, and in particular, because violence against women acts as a barrier to women’s political and economic empowerment.
2. India supports the laudable objectives of the draft resolution and also the urgent need for working together to eliminate sexual violence against women. However, it notes that there are references to someinitiatives taken outside the UN systemon which this Council has not been adequately briefed and which many here may not have endorsed.India too may not have endorsed these initiatives for lack of clarity. We join the consensus on this resolution. However, our support to this draft resolution is without prejudice to our position on such initiatives.
3. India believes that the best platform for seeking universal endorsementof such initiatives is the United Nations, and in particular the General Assembly, which has universal membership.
Thank you Mr. President.
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