PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA

GENEVA

27th Session of UN Human Rights Council

[8 September 2014]

Clustered Interactive Dialogue:

Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery and Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all Human Rights by Older persons

Statement by India

Mr. President,

We congratulate Ms. Urmila Bhoola on assuming the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and thank her for her first report to the Human Rights Council.

As the Special Rapporteur assumes her mandate and sets out priorities for her work, forced labour or compulsory labour, domestic servitude, trafficking for sexual exploitation, all remain major global challenges affecting almost every country in the world requiring urgent concerted global action to eliminate them. More than 21 million people are estimated to be in situations of forced labour with women and girls being the predominant victims. Trafficking in persons is directly linked to these practices and migrant workers are increasingly vulnerable to labour exploitation.

Though the context and manifestations of modern-day slavery have changed, the predominant forms in almost all regions of the world are linked to privately-imposed economic exploitation. As the Special Rapporteur has rightly observed, while profit motive drives the demand for forced labour and other forms of exploitation, it is poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and lack of development that are the root causes that push vulnerable populations into irregular work, migration, forced labour and trafficking.

Mr. President,

The underlying nature of the entire problem evidently is economic. Empirical evidence points out that progress on eradicating various forms of modern-day slavery and exploitation can only be achieved by addressing the root causes that sustain those practices, including poverty, regional disparities and the lack of access to livelihoods, education and health care. It is for this reason, that while we welcome the approach and priorities set out by the Special Rapporteur’s in her report, we would like her to tend greater emphasis on providing a better understanding of the underlying causes that drive individuals and peoples to turn victims of modern slavery.

Mr. President,

We believe that ample focus should be given to addressing the root causes rather than conceiving new labels to describe victims of economic exploitation. There are also obvious limits to the extent to which a rights-based legal approach can counter the problem at its source. In fact, experience has shown that economic growth and inclusive development have a much greater capacity in empowering the disadvantaged to break through regressive social patterns and attitudes.

An area of growing concern for all of us is the role of business, especially transnational corporations, in promoting and using forced labour in global supply chains. As highlighted by the Special Rapporteur, the latest ILO estimates put the total profits obtained from the use of forced labour in the private economy worldwide at US$ 150 billion per year and nearly 90% of the 21 million people in forced labour are the result of the exploitative practices of private businesses. We would like to hear more from her on how in her opinion Member States need to address this growing phenomenon.

Mr. President,

We congratulate Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte on her appointment as the first Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights of older persons and look forward to closely working with her in fulfilling her mandate.

Population ageing is one of the most significant demographic changes in the 21st century and this is bound to pose fresh challenges to policy makers both at the national and international level. India is home to over 100 million old persons and at the existing rate of growth their number is expected to double within 20 years.

We concur with the Independent Expert’s observation that elderly persons face multidimensional vulnerabilities on account of their age, even when they are financially independent. The challenge for us is to ensure that older persons live a life of dignity and fulfillment through provision of appropriate policy and legal framework.

There is also a need to acknowledge the social dimension of the issue and the need for immediate and extended families and the community to step in. It is an issue of inter-generational social compact. Just as parents provide for their children, the children need to take care of and support their parents when they grow old. It is simply inconceivable that the government can alone address this issue if the families and communities do not play their part. Any approach to address the rights of old persons should take this into consideration.

Mr. President,

In India, the government is involving all relevant stakeholders in addressing issues related to the ageing population. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 provides for the protection of life and property of senior citizens. Various policies and schemes including the National Policy on Older Persons, the National Programme for Health Care of Elderly, pension schemes and legal assistance programmes, are being implemented by the Government of India in collaboration with other partners such as NGOs, local bodies and the community in ensuring that the elderly not only live longer but also lead a secure, dignified and productive life.

As a signatory to the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, India is committed to take comprehensive steps that protect and promote the rights of elderly persons. We are sure that the Independent Expert’s mandate would help intensify international attention on older persons and wish her all the best in her work.

Thank you Mr. President

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