India dismisses UN's top human rights official's remarks on foreign influence laws
- In Reports
- 07:20 PM, Jun 21, 2024
- Myind Staff
India has dismissed a statement made by the UN's top human rights official regarding foreign influence laws, asserting that principles of "transparency and accountability cannot be selectively applied."
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, expressed disagreement with the brief mention of India by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk in his Global Update during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council this week. Bagchi stated that he respectfully disagreed with the remarks made about India.
In his global update, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk highlighted a concerning trend regarding civic space, noting the adoption or consideration of "transparency" or "foreign influence" laws in more than 50 countries. These laws, Turk cautioned, could potentially stifle the activities of civil society organisations and curtail freedoms of expression and association.
Among the countries mentioned by Turk are Bosnia and Herzegovina's Republika Srpska entity, Georgia, India, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Slovakia, and Turkey. He expressed particular concern about the implications of these laws, suggesting they pose significant risks to democratic principles and human rights.
Turk's remarks underscore a broader international debate on the balance between national security interests and fundamental freedoms. The UN High Commissioner emphasised the importance of upholding transparency and accountability while cautioning against the selective application of these principles, which, he argued, could undermine democratic governance and human rights protections globally.
India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Arindam Bagchi, responded to comments by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk regarding foreign influence laws.
Bagchi emphasised that democratic nations, including India, have long-standing regulations to prevent the misuse of foreign funds, reflecting concerns about transparency and accountability. He criticised the selective application of these principles, stating that depicting reliance on opaque or illegal foreign funding undermines India's vibrant civil society.
Addressing broader issues within the Human Rights Council, Bagchi expressed regret over ongoing global conflicts that have exacerbated divisions within the Council. He stressed the importance for the Office of the High Commissioner to focus diligently on its core mandates amidst these challenges.
Regarding Turk's global update on human rights, Bagchi acknowledged its sombre assessment while asserting India's pride in its recent general elections. He defended the electoral process against unwarranted concerns, highlighting it as the largest democratic exercise in history with 650 million voters. Bagchi underscored India's pluralistic society and robust institutional safeguards, asserting these as conducive environments for promoting and protecting human rights for all.
Image source: The Economic Times
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