General comments by India during consideration of the Resolution on Rights of persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities: extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on minority, during the 61st Session of the Human Rights Council (23 February – 31 March 2026), delivered by Mr. Kshitij Tyagi, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India, Geneva, 30 March 2026
Mr. President,
India thanks the core group for presenting the draft resolution L.20 on the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on national or ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities and their constructive approach during the informals.
We take the floor to articulate our expectations from this mandate as it is extended for another three years.
It is imperative to reiterate the foundational parameters and expectations that must govern this very important mechanism at the Human Rights Council.
The mandate is anchored in the 1992 UN Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, and established by the Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2005/79. These foundational texts explicitly define the specific groups and rights-holders this mandate seeks to protect.
We urge the Special Rapporteur to strictly adhere to these established criteria. We note with concern a growing tendency to suo moto expand this mandate, which not only dilutes its core purpose but risks overstepping into areas reserved for other UN mechanisms.
Mr. President,
The discourse on minority rights demands sensitivity and a deep understanding of historical, social, and economic contexts. There will always be multiple, often conflicting voices. It is the unenviable task of the mandate holder to ensure that disinformation and propaganda, repackaged as fact, is not platformed through his reports.
We also believe that, within the defined groups of people in the SR’s mandate, the mandate's focus must be truly universal, encompassing the interests of all minorities across all geographies.
We hope that the extended mandate will be exercised with objectivity, respecting the terms of reference set in the mandate.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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