India and EU Engage in Dialogue for Advancing Universal Human Rights
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New Delhi, Jan 8 (NationPress) India and the European Union (EU) have emphasized their dedication to the fundamental principles of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and the promotion and safeguarding of all human rights during the 11th India–European Union Human Rights Dialogue held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India. It centered on topics concerning civil and political rights; social, economic, and cultural rights; the abolition of discrimination in all forms; freedom of religion or belief; combating religious hatred; freedom of expression and opinion in both digital and traditional spaces; gender, LGBTQI+ rights; the rights of the child; women’s empowerment; and the intersection of technology and human rights.
The two parties also exchanged perspectives on the rights of migrants and Business and Human Rights, and welcomed ongoing, constructive, and candid discussions within the dialogue framework.
Both sides congratulated the electorate in India and the EU for their participation in the two largest democratic processes of 2024 – the Indian General Election and the European Elections, showcasing robust political and electoral rights.
"They articulated their strategies, accomplishments, and hurdles in their mutual pursuit of advancing all human rights and shared insights on relevant developments in India and the EU since the previous Dialogue in July 2022. During the Dialogue, India and the EU reaffirmed their shared commitment to the principles of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and the promotion and protection of all human rights. They highlighted the universality, indivisibility, interdependence, and interconnectedness of all human rights," stated a joint press release issued by both parties.
India and the EU also reflected on their commitment to uphold human rights, agreeing on the necessity to protect the independence, freedom, and diversity of civil society actors and organizations, along with other relevant stakeholders like journalists, while respecting freedom of association, expression, and peaceful assembly.
"The EU reiterated its opposition to capital punishment. India reaffirmed its position on acknowledging the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable, and fundamental human right," the statement added.
During their meeting, both parties acknowledged the significance of enhancing national and international human rights mechanisms for the promotion and protection of human rights.
"Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration in multilateral forums, particularly at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). In this context, they committed to closer cooperation and more regular interactions between the Permanent Missions of India and the EU in Geneva, to identify further opportunities for collaborative action. They also deliberated on cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in line with international humanitarian law," read the press statement.
