‘India’s backing of rights at UNHRC not consistent’

A new analysis of voting during a decade at the UN Human Rights Council suggests India did not consistently support issues such as civil and political rights, including death penalty, reprisals, defamation of religions, torture, drones, and the right to peace and peaceful protests.

The analysis by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) released in Geneva is focused on voting patterns at the apex international forum by Commonwealth countries between 2006 and 2016. The event was chaired by CHRI director Sanjoy Hazarika.

India is currently serving its fourth term at HRC from January 2015 to December 2017.

The CHRI report said the UK and Canada repeatedly voted against resolutions relating to international solidarity, foreign debt, unilateral coercive measures, promotion of the right of peoples to peace, combating defamation of religions, and multiple resolutions regarding racism.

India sponsored four resolutions during the period, while Pakistan moved 64 during the decade. India was the only AsiaPacific Commonwealth country to abstain from voting on resolutions on defamation of religions. Resolutions on defamation of religions are regarded by the international community as an attempt to pass an anti-blasphemy resolution in the UNHRC.

India voted against four resolutions and one decision concerning peaceful protests, question of death penalty, and protection of rights while countering terrorism. PRASUN SONWALKAR