'Global reports need genuine updates', India slams Human Rig
'Global reports need genuine updates', India slams Human Rights Council
At the 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Arindam Bagchi urged a better understanding of India’s democratic and pluralistic ethos
GENEVA — At the 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva,
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Arindam Bagchi,
delivered a pointed critique of the High Commissioner’s global update, calling
for a “genuine update” on the situation in India.
Bagchi’s statement was in response to unfounded remarks
made about India, particularly in relation to Jammu and Kashmir.
“Mr. Vice President, allow me today to share some
reflections about the High Commissioner's global update. As India was mentioned
by name, let me begin by emphasizing that the world's largest democracy
continues to be a healthy, vibrant and pluralistic society,” Bagchi said.
He dismissed the concerns raised in the report as
“unfounded and baseless”, stressing that these comments did not reflect the
ground realities of India.
Bagchi also urged a better understanding of India’s
democratic and pluralistic ethos.
"We would urge a better understanding of India and
our civilization's ethos of diversity and openness, which continue to define
our robust and often cacophonous civic space," he emphasised.
A key focus of his speech was the region of J&K,
which was mentioned in the report with an inaccurate reference to “Kashmir”.
Bagchi pointed out that in the past year, the region had seen significant
improvements, including increased peace, provincial elections, a booming
tourism industry, and rapid development.
He added, “Nothing illustrates this divergence more than
the passing reference to Jammu and Kashmir, erroneously referred to as
Kashmir.”
"Ironically, in a year that stood out for that
region's improving peace and inclusive progress, be it the large turnout,
provincial elections, booming tourism, or the rapid development pace, clearly,
the global update needs a genuine update. At a larger level, we are concerned
about global updates, oversimplifications of complex issues, sweeping and
generalized remarks, usage of loose terminologies and apparent cherry-picking
of situations," said Bagchi.
He called for introspection within the office of the High
Commissioner, stating, “Mr. Vice President, the High Commissioner has sensed a
pervasive unease, but we would submit that a key element to addressing this is
a long and hard look in the mirror by the office of the High Commissioner.”
The 58th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC
58) is taking place in Geneva from February 24 to April 4, 2025.
