General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution A/HRC/45/L.23 on “The Right to Development” at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Puneet Agrawal, Ambassador/DPR, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 06 October 2020)

Madam President,

             It is essential to recognize the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right that is applicable to all people in all countries to build collective and sustainable peace and prosperity across the world. While no one can deny the national responsibility of States to promote the Right to Development, a coordinated international effort is required to ensure that States establish, promote and sustain national and international arrangements that create an enabling environment for the realization of the Right to Development.

Madam President,

2. The draft resolution under consideration incorporates the responsibilities of States towards the realization of the right to development as an integral part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the socio-economic development of their people. At the same time, it also calls upon all States and other international organizations to strive further for greater acceptance, operationalization and realization of  the  right  to  development.

Madam President,

3. The draft resolution has further supported the ongoing dialogue and engagement with all relevant stakeholders for greater deliberations on this subject including integration of the right to development perspective in international cooperation and   further discussion on the draft  legally  binding instrument on the right to development. India always favours a global discourse on human rights based an inclusive and constructive approach. In this spirit, India would continue to engage all through dialogue and cooperation so as to realize the Right to Development for all.

Thank you, Madam President