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National Statement Agenda Item 2 General Debate On The Oral Update by The High Commissioner
National Statement Agenda Item 2 General Debate On The Oral Update by The High Commissioner
Mr. President,
India is an ancient civilization with immense and rich diversity. It also holds the
credentials of being the world’s largest democracy. Earlier this year, the world was
witness to the biggest democratic exercise in human history, involving 900 million
Indian voters and over a million polling stations. Our commitment to democracy is
unshakable, and this is appreciated globally.
Our Constitution is supreme and guarantees fundamental rights to all our citizens,
without any distinction. It secures justice, liberty and equality and promotes fraternity
among all. Our belief in our secular polity is unflinching.
Our independent judiciary is the guardian of these fundamental rights and liberties.
Our free media, vibrant civil society and the impartial human rights institutions
provide an effective framework for protection of human rights of all sections of
society.
Mr. President,
Our Parliament has been adopting a series of progressive legislations. The human
rights institutions have been further strengthened in consonance with the Paris
Principles.
The recent legislative measures taken by India within the framework of its
Constitution will ensure that these progressive measures will also be fully applicable
to our citizens in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. As a result, there will be an end to
gender discrimination, including on property rights and local bodies representation.
There will be better protection of juvenile rights and laws against domestic violence.
The rights to education, information and work will now be applicable. Longstanding
discrimination against refugees and under privileged sections will end. These
decisions were taken by our Parliament after a full debate that was televised and
enjoyed widespread support. We wish to reiterate that this sovereign decision, like
other legislations passed by Parliament, is entirely internal to India. No country
can accept interference in its internal affairs, certainly not India.
Mr. President,
India firmly believes in a constructive approach to shape the human rights discourse
in the Council. We need to find practical measures to protect and promote economic,
social and cultural rights of the people globally.
We should call out those who are misusing this platform for malicious political
agendas under the garb of human rights. Those who are attempting this speak on
the human rights of minorities in other countries whilst trampling upon them at will in
their own country. They cry victim when they actually are the perpetrators.
Mr. President,
One delegation has given a running commentary with offensive rhetoric of false
allegations and concocted charges against my country. The world is aware that this
fabricated narrative comes from the epicentre of global terrorism, where ring leaders
were sheltered for years. This nation conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of
‘alternate diplomacy’. My delegation will separately exercise the right to respond.
Mr. President,
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