General Comments by India on Consideration of the Resolution A/HRC/45/L.32 on “The contribution of the Human Rights Council to the prevention of human rights violations” at the 45th Session of the Human Rights Council (14 September – 07 October 2020) delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, First Secretary, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 07 October 2020)

Madam President, 

          We understand that the Human Right Council was tasked by the General Assembly resolution 60/251 to contribute, through dialogue and cooperation, towards the prevention of human rights violations and respond promptly to human rights emergencies.

Madam President,

2. It is noted that operating paras of the resolution under consideration “inter-alia” asks all Human Rights Council mechanisms to integrate prevention and recognizes that Human Rights Council may decide, on a case-by-case basis to engage for preventing further human rights violations and responding promptly to human rights emergencies.

Madam President,

3. We are of the view that the Council has mechanisms such urgent debate and special sessions to uphold its responsibilities related to prevention. Other HRC mechanisms have their own procedures for addressing human rights violations of individuals and organizations. Various States have availed technical assistance and capacity building measures from the Council at the request of States in addressing issues related to human rights violations.

Madam President,

4. Its reiterated that the core mandate of the Human Rights Council and all its mechanisms is promotion and protection of all human rights. The resolution under consideration attempts to amplify and broaden the prevention aspect of the HRC which would go beyond the scope of resolution 60/251. We strongly believe that any change in the functioning of the Human Rights Council beyond this scope should be decided by the General Assembly as stipulated in the founding resolution.

Thank you, Madam President.