Statement by India under Agenda Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression at 59th Session of Human Rights Council (16 June – 9 July 2024) delivered by Mr. Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor, Geneva, 18 June 2025
Mr. Vice President,
- We take note of the report presented by the Special Rapporteur.
- India’s Constitution guarantees freedom of opinion and expression as a fundamental right, actively upheld by our independent judiciary. Elections and freedom of expression are mutually reinforcing pillars that we continually nurture. The peaceful conduct of the 2024 General Elections—the largest democratic exercise in history with nearly 970 million eligible voters—underscores India’s deep commitment to democratic values and human rights.
- Digital tools are transformative in enhancing citizen participation, transparency, and legitimacy in elections. The Election Commission of India is a global leader in using ICTs for this purpose. Campaigns like ‘Turning 18’ and ‘You Are the One’ engaged first-time and urban voters in the recently held general elections. The ‘Verify Before You Amplify’ initiative empowered citizens to counter misinformation. The cVIGIL app enabled real-time reporting of electoral malpractices, with over 424,000 complaints acted upon swiftly.
- It is, therefore, surprising to note ill-informed references to India based on unverified reports that do not reflect ground realities. Such remarks overlook the vibrant, diverse, and resilient character of India’s electoral processes, as well as the vital role of our independent institutions in safeguarding democratic principles. We firmly reject such unfounded insinuations and urge that future assessments be based on objective, evidence-based analysis, which is essential to uphold the credibility of this important mandate.
I thank you.
