M
r. J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (Training & Research), NHRC delivered a statement on behalf of the
Commission at the Plenary Session during the 36th Session of the Human Rights Council for adoption of India's Universal Periodic Review, UPR at Geneva, Switzerland on the 21st September, 2017. The text of the statement is as follows:
"As the National Human Rights Commission, India had observed in its submission for this current review, challenges to the safeguard of human rights in the country remain inspite of an independent and active judiciary, free media and an alert civil society. It was also observed that several recommendations received during the second review are yet to be implemented. It is hoped and expected that there will be better implementation of the recommendations being accepted by the Government of India in this review.
The National Human Rights Commission, India proposes to work with both, the Government as well as the civil society, towards implementation of these recommendations. It will also strive to disseminate and give publicity to the outcome of this review within the country amongst all the stakeholders for this purpose.
We, in NHRC - India, have examined the recommendations in detail. They pertain to categories, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and culture rights. They also cover the rights of disadvantaged sections of society. Several of them do have relevance to the human rights situation of our country and hence, require serious implementation. We have already addressed the concerned Ministry of Government of India calling upon them to expeditiously examine all the recommendations for early decision.
We have also found that the recommendations are more in aggregate number and received from a larger number of participating countries. This trend is also indicative of the maturity of the UPR mechanism. At the same time, the process of successive reviews will have utility, only if, Governments work in a steadfast manner to
achieve the implementation of recommendations they accept.
In the end, it is reiterated that the National Human Rights Commission, India will work with all stakeholders to assist in the process of implementation of all recommendations before the next review."