Permanent Mission of India
Geneva
High Level Panel on 50th Anniversary of Human Rights Covenants
31st Session of the Human Rights Council
[1st March 2016]
Statement by H.E. Mr. Ajit Kumar,
Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UN & other International Organizations
Mr. President,
Allow me to begin by congratulating you on your appointment as President of the Council. We assure you our continued constructive support in realizing our common goal in this august body. We also take this opportunity to thank the High Commissioner for Human Rights for his relentless efforts towards the promotion and protection of human rights across the globe.
Mr. President,
We consider it most auspicious that we are meeting today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the two Covenants reflecting the universal system of promotion and protection of human rights. As we all aware, on 16 December 2016 it will be 50 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the two human rights covenants, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the two Covenants are the main pillar of the international human rights system.
We thank the Panel for the intrinsic, rich contributions and reflections on the impact of these Covenants on the situation of the rights holders. We share with the panel's views that the 50th anniversary of a treaty offers a good opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in the years that have passed, to assess the present situation and to look to the future.
Mr. President,
For millennia, India has been home to vast diversities, cultures, traditions and thoughts. India's commitment to rule of law, democracy, development and human rights is as old as our nation.
India is among the founder-member of the United Nations which subscribed to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). We are proud of India's Hans Mehta in drafting the UDHR, giving prominence in the declaration equal rights for women and men.
As a State party to these principal human rights Covenants and of practically of all other major human rights instruments, India has consistently demonstrated in practice its commitments for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Mr. President,
Indian Constitution enshrines India's commitments to human rights, Citizen's fundamental, civil and political rights and social economic and cultural rights through special provisions for their progressive realization and enforcement. One of the sacred pillars of the Constitution of India is the fundamental rights and freedoms granted to our citizens. Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution guarantees equality before the law and freedom from discrimination based on race, sex, caste, religion or place of birth. Article 19 also guarantees every citizen of India the freedom of speech and expression, freedom to assemble peacefully and form associations and freedom of movement within the territory of the Country.
India is among the few countries in the world whose Constitution itself prescribes the fundamental tenets of State Policy. Directive Principles of State Policy are ‘fundamental' in the governance of the country and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. These directives include eliminating and minimizing inequalities, ensuring gender parity, development of women and children and, development of physical and mental health for all.
India's vibrant, independent judiciary through landmark judgements ensured and enhanced the justifiability of economic, social and cultural Rights in India. Innovative mechanisms of Public Interest litigation crafted by the judiciary and the provision of legal aid ensured that even the most vulnerable sections of the society who may not be able to approach court or otherwise can seek justice via a public spirited individual or organization. This mechanism has been extremely effective in providing remedy to vulnerable groups.
Mr. President,
To realize our objective for inclusive society, government of India has taken a number of steps to ensure participatory rule of law based approach to governance including in its path for development by promoting accountability, transparency and responsive to the needs and aspirations of all its citizens. The government has enacted several landmark legislations guaranteeing basic rights in the areas of work and employment education and food security. To mention few, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), enacted by the Parliament of India is a milestone in social policy and employment creation. Its rights based approach, social inclusion features, reliance on local self government, and focus on livelihood security made it very important public endeavour, more so when it had no precedent of its kind, nationally or internationally. The landmark Right to Information Act of 2005 has been most useful in empowering citizens and transparent and accountable governance.
Mr. President,
India's role as a young nation, India's demographic dividend has been spoken of for some time now. Recognizing the power of youth, we are committed to invest in education, and in particular skill development so that the vast number of youth can be gainfully employed. Skill India Mission is launched with emphasis on employability and entrepreneurial skills.
The National Food Security Act 2013 that aims to provide food and nutritional security to all by ensuring access to quality food at affordable prices had already started showing positive results in combating hunger and malnutrition. Similarly, the midday meal school launched by government has been remarkably successful in ensuring greater enrolment as well as combating malnutrition among the children.
To enable better living and drive economic growth, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana stresses the need for people centric planning and development, paves way for affordable homes for urban poor.
Mr. President,
Respect for and promotion of all human rights for all is an integral component of our endeavour to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. This is reflected in government of India motto Sub Ka Sath Sub Ka Vikas' (With all and development for all') and the progressive shift from welfare oriented to rights based approach in our social economic policies and programmes.
We believe that a holistic and integrated approach that recognizes the interdependence, interrelated and indivisibility of all human rights including the right to development as reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration should be at the centre of our collective efforts in promoting and protecting human rights. They are so inextricably intertwined that none of them should be viewed in isolation from others.
Mr. President,
As the world's largest democracy with a proud history of unity and diversity, strong Constitutional safeguards for fundamental freedom, a progressive parliament, an independent and impartial judiciary a key and vibrant media and a thriving Civil society, India is wedded to the idea of a just and equitable society.
I thank you.
