Indra Mani Pandey said, India has been a fervent defender of human rights (Archive)
Geneva:
India said on Tuesday that it has revived grassroots democracy and provided a new impetus to social and economic development in Jammu and Kashmir despite persistent attempts by a neighboring country to infiltrate terrorists to derail this process.g
During a debate at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council, the permanent representative of India, Indra Mani Pandey, also expressed regret at the reference of the UN chief of human rights, Michelle Bachelet, to the region.
Pandey said that India remains committed to defending all human rights. He said that the human rights agenda and discourse must be carried out in a transparent and impartial manner with respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States.
Referring to the repeal of Article 370 in 2019 that revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, Pandey said that since the changes, people in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have enjoyed the same fundamental rights as people in other countries. parts of India. .
“We have been able to revive grassroots democracy and provide a new impetus to social and economic development, despite the challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and persistent attempts by one country to infiltrate terrorists to derail this process by all possible means. “, said. , in a veiled reference to Pakistan.
“Over the past year, the government’s efforts to promote socio-economic development and ensure better governance have yielded unprecedented results.
“By expanding the coverage of positive and affirmative federal laws and repealing discriminatory or outdated local laws, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver socio-economic justice to disadvantaged people in the territory of the Union of Jammu and Kashmir, including women, children, minorities and refugees, “he said.
“We regret that the High Commissioner in her oral update made a reference to the situation in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
He noted that, as the largest and most vibrant democracy, India has, since independence, been a fervent defender of human rights.
“We have encouraged OHCHR to continue to engage States in a constructive manner, while emphasizing the need to specifically avoid the politicization of human rights discourse, which is not conducive to the achievement of our collective goal of promoting and protecting human rights. “, said.
“We urge the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to recognize the enormity of the challenges we face due to our large and very diverse population of 1.3 billion and to act as our partner in a cooperative and constructive spirit in our effort to ensure that our people all their basic human rights, “he said.
He added that India will continue its constructive engagement with the Council and OHCHR for the promotion and protection of human rights.
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