General Assembly General Assembly

 Statement by  Mr. Rattan Lal Kataria, Hon'ble Member of Parliament on Agenda Item 70(a,b) - Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance & Agenda Item 71 - Right of Peoples to Self-Determination at the Third Committee of the 70th  Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 3rd November, 2015

 

 
Mr. Chairman, 
 
My delegation aligns itself with the statement of the G-77. 
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
It is unfortunate that even in the 21st century, attitudes, habits and thought processes of the bygone era of imperialism and colonialism continue to foment racial hatred and segregation and create a vast divide in our global civilization. The recrudescence of racism and xenophobia in different parts of the developed world has been a disturbing phenomenon.
 
The careful nurturing of multi-cultural, democratic and pluralistic traditions; inculcation of tolerance and respect of diversity; and implementation of appropriate educational and legislative strategies would perhaps provide the surest guarantee against racial prejudice and discrimination and xenophobia, and in the full and effective implementation of the Durban Plan of Action.
 
I would, however, like to caution against the improper association of racial discrimination with other forms of discrimination, including religious intolerance. 
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
I come from the State of Haryana in India which is the land of 'MaaSaraswati', Goddess of Knowledge and the great epic 'the Mahabharata', the story of the fight for Righteousness and Justice. 
 
Preserved on these fundamentals of knowledge and righteousness and based on principles of peaceful coexistence and tolerance, India is the best example of a multi-religious, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society. 
 
Article 14 of our Constitution lays the sound foundation for equality for all its people. Article 15 expressly prohibits discrimination on the grounds of, inter alia, race. The tireless efforts of Mahatma Gandhi and Baba BhimroaAmbedkar in fighting against the abomination of discrimination in all its forms, are well recognized worldwide.
 
Our vibrant democracy, comprehensive legal framework, independent and impartial judiciary, pluralistic society, active civil society and free media effectively contribute to the global fight against racial discrimination.
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
With the recent adoption of the historic and universal 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and its SDGs, with eradication of poverty at the heart of its objectives, it is an opportune time to renew the commitments made at the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban in September 2001.
 
The task of mankind's universal quest for dignity and equality ahead of us is long and challenging, but we must continue to forge our existence on the fundamentals of respect, equality, solidarity, tolerance and peace.
 
Mr. Chairman,
 
Self-determination has long been recognized as the right of peoples of non-self-governing colonies and trust territories to independence and self-government. India played a leading role in the struggle against decolonization.
 
Today, Palestine remains the unfinished task in the realisation of the right of peoples to self-determination. India is steadfast in its supporting anegotiated solution, resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, living within secure and recognized borders, side by side and at peace with Israel, as endorsed in the Arab Peace Initiative, the Quartet road map and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
 
Mr. Chairman, 
 
United Nations and other international fora should not be used to selectively redefine some of the basicprinciples of UN Charter, such as self-determination, and to abuse them for subversive political agendas to encourage secession and to undermine pluralistic and democratic state.
 
In this context, we note theunwarranted references to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir made by the delegate of Pakistan in his statement.It would be suffice to say that the State of Jammu & Kashmir is an integral part of the Union of India.The people of Jammu and Kashmir exercised their right to self-determination at the time of India's independence and have since then regularly participated in free, fair and open elections at all levels. These elections have been held under the scrutiny of international media and opinion, which has not faulted the electoral process. The 65% record voter turnout in the 2014 election in Jammu and Kashmir, despite the threats from Pakistan-based terror groups, is a resounding response by our people.  
 
It is all the more ironical that these comments come from a country which is persisting with its illegal occupation of part of the Indian State of Jammu & Kashmir and consistently denying human rights of  the occupied territory.Pakistan should first stop human rights violations in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and ensure the right of self-determination for the victims before sermonizing others on it.
 
Thank You