Human rights situation in the OT – Letter from India

  REPORT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER

  FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD

CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Letter dated 24 April 2002 from the Permanent Representative of India

  to the United Nations Office at Geneva addressed to the Chairperson of

the fifty-eighth session of the Commission on Human Rights

I am enclosing herewith India’s explanation of vote in regard to resolution E/CN.4/2002/L.13 entitled “Situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory” which was adopted by the Commission on 5 April 2002. I shall be grateful if, in keeping with your ruling on the subject, this explanation of vote* could be circulated as a document of the fifty-eighth session of the Commission.

 (Signed)  H.S. PURI

   Ambassador

    Permanent Representative

     ________

* Reproduced as received, in English only.

Annex

INDIA

EOV

Mr. Chairman,

India has consistently preferred dialogue and cooperation to monitoring activities for promotion and protection of human rights since the latter are erosive of the principles of sovereignty.  However, we have voted for the resolution just adopted on account of our unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the grave situation involving, inter alia, unwarranted acts of violence resulting in increasing loss of innocent lives in occupied Palestinian territories, Israel and Jerusalem, described in High Commissioner's report to the Commission.

We believe that international monitoring presence in the region can be effective only with the cooperation and consent of the parties concerned and would encourage any arrangements in this regard supported by these parties.

The greatest need of the hour is to build peace, prevent further loss of life and restore confidence between the two sides, thereby paving the way for their return to the negotiations table.  We hope that the Commission would keep these central goals in mind in regard to whatever further action is undertaken by it.

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