India has highlighted constitutional and institutional safeguards against enforced disappearances during discussions at the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee, while calling for accountability, transparency and cooperation in addressing human rights violations.
Barkha Tamrakar, Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, delivered India’s statement on October 20 during discussions concerning the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
India highlighted Article 21 and habeas corpus as safeguards against alleged enforced disappearances.
The NHRC, State Human Rights Commissions and the Right to Information Act were cited as accountability and transparency mechanisms.
India called for prevention, accountability and protection of civil society.
New Delhi urged dialogue and cooperation in international human rights engagement.
India opposed the use of human rights issues for political pressure or selective country targeting.
Tamrakar highlighted Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, and the judiciary’s power to issue writs of habeas corpus as safeguards against alleged unlawful detention and disappearances.
She also referred to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), State Human Rights Commissions, the Right to Information Act, independent media and civil society as mechanisms that support transparency, accountability and avenues for redress.
Describing enforced disappearances as grave human rights violations that deeply affect victims’ families, India called on states to strengthen preventive measures, ensure accountability and protect civil society.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Enforced disappearances raise serious concerns about personal liberty, legal protection and accountability. India’s statement highlighted the role of constitutional safeguards, judicial remedies and independent institutions in addressing such concerns.
India also stressed that law enforcement authorities must operate within the framework of the law. Tamrakar said engagement with international human rights mechanisms should be guided by dialogue, consultation, cooperation, non-selectivity and transparency.
She cautioned against using human rights as an instrument of political pressure or selectively targeting countries. India urged delegations to accurately reflect reports and avoid treating unverified allegations or incomplete statistics as established findings. She added that India remained prepared to clarify specific, properly documented cases through established channels.
India also noted that it had signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
