INDIA REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NEW DELHI 002997 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS 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 NEW DELHI 00002997 001.3 OF 002 ¶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 NEW DELHI 00002997 002.3 OF 002 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/) BLAKE