INDIA REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002997

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR AORC UNHRC KDEM IN
SUBJECT: INDIA REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL SEAT

REF: NEW DELHI 2786

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1. (SBU) Reflecting the priority the GOI places on
participating in the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),Indian
Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran called together resident Chiefs
of Missions on May 1 to promote the GOI candidacy. Adding to
the previous GOI non-paper outlining India's qualificaitons
(reftel),Saran distributed a second paper (text para 2) and
also verbally made the following points in support of an
Indian seat on the Council:

-- There are 18 countries vying for 13 Asian Seats on the
UNHRC.

-- India's independence movement was a mass movement
demanding human rights.

-- Promotion of human rights should avoid a report-centric
approach and the bracketing of countries except in
exceptional circumstances.

-- India will consider all requests for UNHRC candidacy and
will be happy to provide reciprocal support whenever
possible.

-- The fact that India gathered together the Delhi Chiefs of
Missions reflects the importance the GOI attaches to its
candidacy.


2. (U) Begin Text of Indian Paper:

India's candidature for the UN Human Rights Council

India has a long tradition of promoting and protecting human
rights. It was privileged to be in the forefront of the
struggle against apartheid since even before India's
independence. India's commitment to promoting and protecting
human rights flow from the realization that in a truly
pluralistic society, the growth and well being of citizens
can only be guaranteed through a culture of protection and
promotion of human rights. The Indian Constitution enshrines
India's commitment to human rights by guaranteeing to its
citizens fundamental political and civil rights. Special
provisions for the progressive realization and enforcement of
economic, social and cultural rights have also been provided
for constitutionally. India has taken an important initiative
for the empowerment of women by reserving one-third of all
seats for women in urban and local self-government, thus
bringing over one million women at the grassroots level into
political decision making. With the launch of the National
Rural Employment Guarantee programme on February 1, 2006, the
right to work has been operationalised in India.

The Indian judiciary has delivered some of the most
far-reaching and well thought out pronouncements on the
protection and promotion of human rights. The National Human
Rights Commission, a powerful and independent body, monitors
human rights developments in India and shares its experience
and expertise with its counterparts in other countries. The
free and independent media in India plays a crucial role in
promoting respect for and monitoring of human rights. Civil
society in India is among the most vibrant anywhere the
world.

India has been active in deliberations on human rights in
international fora, bringing the perspective of moderation

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and balance from a country that has demonstrated its
commitment to human rights in practice and to the development
of widely accepted international norms. India pledges itself
to making a useful and positive contribution to the work of
the newly established Human Rights Council at this crucial
juncture of its inception.

End Text.


3. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
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