Terrorism Violates Right to Life: EAM Jaishankar at UNHRC
India took a significant stand at the 46th session of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council concluded on Tuesday. India has always been at the forefront, both as a victim of and combatant against terrorism. India has always pioneered the global movement against terrorism as a result of which the global community is bandwagoning with India to pool in their resources and uproot the malady to turbulence and insecurity. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mentioned that their indigenous experience as an inclusive and pluralistic society and a vibrant democracy defines their position on human rights issues.
“India has always played an active role in global promotion and protection of human rights. Our strong commitment to the welfare of the entire humanity, inspired by our civilisational ethos of ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’, or the world is one family, has provided the very foundation on which our constitutional and legal framework of human rights has been built. Our approach to the UNHRC is guided by our spirit of engagement, dialogue and consultation,” Jaishankar said. He connoted Human Rights violation to the tyranny of terrorism and considered it as the gravest threat to humankind. It is a crime against humanity and violates the most fundamental human right – namely, the right to life. As a long-standing victim, India has been at the forefront of the global action against terrorism,” he added.
The ongoing Farmers protest and Kashmir issue which attracted global support has tarnished India’s goodwill as an infringer of human rights and civil liberty. Defending India’s stand, S Jaishankar said that violation of and gaps in the implementation of human rights should be addressed in a fair and just manner, with objectivity, selectivity and non-transparency thereby adhering to the principles of non-interference in internal and national sovereignty.
Last month S. Jaishankar at the UN Security Council charted out 8 plans of action to tackle terrorism and its perpetrators. He reiterated to give up double standards on the issue of terrorism and the practice of locking request for designation of terrorists. India adamantly piloted the aim to combat terrorism and refrain from any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ in this fight. India called out the member states to fulfil their obligations enshrined in the international counter-terrorism instrument and conventions. He also urged for reform in multilateral institutions to effectively deal with the challenges of terrorism.
India mentioned that its approach to the UN Human Rights Council is guided by its spirit of engagement, dialogue and consultation, where it gives equal value to the protection and promotion of human rights. Jaishankar applauded his government’s effort to provide direct food support to 800 million Indians and financial support to 400 million to counter the impact of the Pandemic. “In the same spirit, India has pledged to use its vaccine manufacturing capacity to make vaccines accessible and affordable to all,” he added.
In his concluding remarks, S. Jaishankar reiterated that India is adamant to take necessary possible steps to unleash complete enjoyment of basic human rights, including inclusive and sustainable development along with building a better and fairer society at home and abroad.
