Statement by India under Agenda 9 in the 42^nd Session of the

Human Rights Council ( 09-27 September 2019), delivered by

Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary,

Permanent Mission of India, (Geneva, 24 September 2019)

Mr. Vice-President,

1.As a nation, which has been in the forefront of the international fight against racism and racial discrimination, India is against any incidents of racism, xenophobia, and exclusivism in the world. India regards racism and racial discrimination as the anti-thesis of everything humanity stands for-equality, justice, peace and progress.

2. Racism goes against the basic grain of ancient Indian Philosophy which considers the whole world as one family. Conscious of the destructive impact that racism and racial discrimination can have on society, the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution built adequate safeguards against racism and racial discrimination and enshrined the basic value of equality in it. These principles are further strengthened by our comprehensive legal framework with independent and impartial judiciary, a secular and pluralistic polity, a vibrant civil society and free media.

3. It is unfortunate that even in the twenty-first century attitudes, habit and thought process of the bygone era continue to foment racial hatred and segregation. Modern communication technologies, including the Internet, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to misuse by the purveyors of racial hatred. Stark and persisting economic inequality is providing the grist for the racist mill. Countering racist onslaught remains a matter of priority for India. Promulgation of appropriate laws and their strict implementation and more importantly, ensuring attitudinal changes and inculcation of tolerance through appropriate educational strategies would provide the surest guarantee against racial prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia. With the recent adoption of the historic and universal 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its SDGs, with eradication of poverty at the heart of its objective, it is an opportune time to renew our commitments made at the World Conference against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and racial intolerance held in Durban in 2001.

Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.

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