Statement by India under Agenda Item 4 : General Debate Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, at the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council (23 Feb – 31 Mar 2026) delivered by Mr. Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 16 March 2026
Thank you, Mr. Vice President,
It has been our consistent and unwavering position that the Council must remain free from politicization and polarization. Unfortunately, that goal remains elusive. As we reiterate our call today for a more constructive, non-confrontational, and objective discourse, we invite the Council’s attention to its core mandate: promotion and protection of human rights of all.
- We reiterate that enhancing state capacities through technical assistance and capacity-building measures, with the consent of concerned states, coupled with effective implementation of accepted UPR recommendations, represents the most productive path forward.
- We feel that with the continued proliferation of country-specific mandates, the deliberations of the Council under this Agenda item have not been conducive to the realization of its intended goals. Selective focus on human rights situations in a few countries, not only takes away from the valuable time of the Council but also diverts attention from a range of critical and pressing challenges that the world continues to grapple with, such as terrorism, conflict, and lack of development.
- Therefore, we urge that principles of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality be reflected not only in words but also in the Council’s actions.
Thank you.
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