India’s human rights record was examined by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time on 10 November 2022.
- India’s first, second and third UPR reviews took place in April 2008, May 2012 and May 2017, respectively.
Key points
- During the UPR, India was urged to take a tougher stand on sexual violence and religious discrimination and ratify the torture convention.
- India insisted it appreciated the role played by human rights defenders and said it would only impose the death penalty in the “the rarest of rare cases”, as it heard other nations’ critiques at the United Nations Human Rights Council.
- “India condemns any form of torture and maintains an inviolable stand against arbitrary detention, torture, rape or sexual violence by anyone,” India’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the council.
United Nations Convention Against Torture
- The Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (commonly known as the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)) is an international human rights treaty under the review of the United Nations.
- The text of the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984 and, following ratification by the 20th state party, it came into force on 26 June 1987.
- India has signed the UN Convention Against Torture but has not ratified it.
About Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
- The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States.
- The UPR is a State-driven process, under the auspices of the Human Rights Council, which provides the opportunity for each State to declare what actions they have taken to improve the human rights situations in their countries and to fulfil their human rights obligations.
- The UPR also includes a sharing of best human rights practices around the globe.
- The UPR was established when the Human Rights Council was created on 15 March 2006 by the UN General Assembly in resolution 60/251.
- The reviews are conducted by the UPR Working Group which consists of the 47 members of the Council; however any UN Member State can take part in the discussion/dialogue with the reviewed States.
- NGOs can attend the UPR Working Group sessions and can make statements at the regular session of the Human Rights Council when the outcome of the State reviews are considered. OHCHR has released “
