Intervention by India during the 11th Session of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, delivered by Mr. Mohammed Hussain K.S., Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Geneva, on 29 April 2025 Intervention by India during the 11th Session of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Imp..
  • Home > 2025 > Intervention by India during the 11th Session of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, delivered by Mr. Mohammed Hussain K.S., Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Geneva, on 29 April 2025

Intervention by India during the 11th Session of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, delivered by Mr. Mohammed Hussain K.S., Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Geneva, on 29 April 2025

Statement by India during the 11th Session of the Group of Independent Eminent Experts on the Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, delivered by Mr. Mohammed Hussain K.S., Counsellor & Legal Adviser, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Geneva, on 29 April 2025

Thank you Chair 

We thank the panellists for their presentations and the different perspectives shared on the subject.

We would also take this occasion to reiterate that the term ‘descent’ only refers to discrimination such as that faced by people of Asian and African descent. This is clear from the official UN records of the discussions during the drafting of the ICERD. By the General Recommendation No. 29 of Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, that attempts to expand the meaning of the term ‘descent’ to include caste-based discrimination, has ignored the Convention’s drafting history. India reiterates its position that caste cannot be equated with race or covered within descent under Article 1 of the ICERD.

Thank you