Statement delivered by Ambassador Ajit Kumar at the General Debate, Agenda Item 10 at the 34<sup>th</sup> Session of the Human Rights Council
Mr. President,
We appreciate the efforts of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in providing capacity building and technical assistance in various areas relating to human rights. We also commend the work of Voluntary Trust Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance to which India is a regular contributor.
The primacy of States’ role in promotion and protection of human rights should be central to all attempts at coordination by the international community. Despite the significant role played by various UN human rights mechanisms in enhancing the safeguards against abuse and violations of human rights, there has also been a vast increase in the workload and responsibilities of member States. Hence, a detailed assessment and analysis of the technical capacities that is available to States needs to be taken into account. The results of these assessments should be utilized to inform our efforts towards making appropriate institutional capacities and adequate financial resources available to the States in pursuit of their human rights commitments.
It is our firm belief that States remain the best judge of their requirements and priorities. To undermine this basic fact would severely compromise States’ own efforts at promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms of its people. International solidarity should be the foundation of all international cooperation and technical assistance; however, the success and sustainability of global pursuit in this regard remain dependent on participation and ownership of the affected State.
The implementation of the Voluntary Trust Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance and other voluntary trust funds implementation should also take into due consideration the objectives and priorities of the concerned State. We have been a consistent supporter of the view that all OHCHR technical assistance activities should be in conformity with the priorities outlined by member states. Such an inclusive approach is certain to enjoy the trust and confidence of the member states and would result in optimal utilization of all the resources available to us.
