PERMANENT MISSION OF INDIA, GENEVA

STATEMENT BY INDIA MADE BY H.E. Mr. AJIT KUMAR, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS IN GENEVA AT THE 32ndSESSION OF HUMAN RIGHT COUNCIL 13 JUNE TO 1 JULY, 2016  Item 2: General Debate

[13 June 2016]

Mr. President,

We thank the UN Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Human Rights for their reports under this Agenda Item. The OHCHR Annual Report that provides a broad and useful overview of the activities undertaken in 2015 by the Office to implement its mandate.

2. We take positive note of the High Commissioner’s continued focus, amongst others, on migration, racism and discrimination, women’s human rights and the victims of torture and are encouraged by the urgency that he attaches to the protection and fulfillment of economic, social and cultural rights particularly in the context of economic strife and recent political upheavals.

Mr. President,

3. We appreciate the focus that the High Commissioner has put on the strengthening of treaty bodies. Given that the success of treaty bodies lies, in large part, on their ability to elicit cooperation from States Parties, we would like to emphasize that any outcome in this regard needs to ensure respect for the legal provisions of the treaties agreed to by member states and that States Parties are fully involved in the outcome, as opposed to a fait accompli approach.

4. We take positive note of the call by the High Commissioner for cooperation by Special Procedures with States and vice-versa. While we value and remain supportive of the importance of the Special Procedures that constitute a key mechanism of the Council, it bears reiteration that they must be mindful of the Council resolution 5/2 and Presidential Statement 8/2 that are their sole guides on the Code of Conduct adopted by the Council, as distinct from any other manual or procedures which are internal procedural guidelines, not endorsed by the Council.

5. While we support the High Commissioner’s call for commitment of States to provide adequate resources to the OHCHR, we would emphasize the importance of regular sharing of greater information in the management of resources both in terms of its distribution for the specific programmes, Special Procedures and its financial facilities related to manpower. This will demonstrate the objective and transparent functioning of the OHCHR. We also support the High Commissioner’s call for prioritizing the work of the Council that needs to be more consultative. This is essential to make the most efficient use of the limited resources.

6. We welcome the emphasis of the High Commissioner on economic, social and cultural rights, particularly in the backdrop of various kinds of crises the world is going through. While appreciatingthe focus on Right to Development, we hope that this issue will get yet stronger focus. This is more than ever a necessity as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development and our challenges remain daunting.

I thank you Mr. President.

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