General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution A/HRC/45/L.33 on “Terrorism and human rights” 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,

           Terrorism violates the basic right of human being i.e. the right to life. When there is no right to life, all other rights become immaterial and irrelevant. Terrorism poses a serious threat to economic and social development, undermines democracy and jeopardizes the rule of law. It is an attack against freedom of thought, expression and association. While acts of terrorism violate the rights of individual victims, it also deeply affects the enjoyment of a range of rights by the families of the victims and society as a whole.

Madam President,

2. We welcome that the resolution seeks cooperation of all States “inter-alia”to prevent any support from reaching terrorist groups, to deny terrorists safe haven, to criminalize collection of funds to be used by terrorists groups, and to extradite the perpetrators of terrorist acts or supporters. We note with appreciation the report of OHCHR on terrorism and human rights and encourage the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms to come up an fruitful recommendations on the same.

Madam President,

3. Serious and grave human rights violation by terrorism in all its forms and manifestation needs Council’s attention. We commend Egypt and Mexico for pursuing this initiative further in the Council and assure our full support in this regard. We also request all Members to extend unconditional support to this important initiative to combat the menace of terrorism and its impacts on all human rights and freedoms.

Thank you, Madam President.