The MEA described the periodic review as as an important mechanism that India "fully supports"

India's National Report for the Fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Cycle will be reviewed on Thursday (November 10) during the 41st Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.

The session is being held at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva from November 7–18.

"The National Report of India, submitted on 5 August 2022, outlines our steps towards the promotion and protection of human rights, including the implementation of recommendations accepted by us in India’s 3rd UPR cycle in 2017," the MEA said.

India’s report was prepared in collaboration with the National Law University, Delhi, after a series of consultations with diverse stakeholders, drawing representatives from the judiciary, national human rights institution, academia, civil society organizations, and the general public.

The UPR is a unique peer review of the Human Rights Council under which UN member States review the human rights performance of fellow member States.

The MEA described it as an important mechanism that India "fully supports".

The Indian delegation for the session is being led by Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta and includes senior representatives from the Ministries of External Affairs, Home Affairs, Women's and Children's Affairs, Social Justice and Empowerment, Minority Affairs, Rural Development, and the United Nations Development Programme.

India's Permanent Representative Indra Mani Pandey and Additional Solicitor General of India KM Nataraj are also part of the delegation.

The MEA noted that India is actively involved in the promotion and defense of human rights throughout the world and emphasized India’s strong commitment to everyone’s welfare.

"India plays an active role in global promotion and protection of human rights. Our strong commitment for the welfare of entire humanity, inspired by our civilizational ethos of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam’ or "the World is one family", provides a foundation on which our constitutional and legal framework for human rights has been built," the MEA release said.

India has been engaged constructively with the members of the UNHRC and other fellow UN member States to promote and protect human rights globally, the MEA pointed out.

"We have laid emphasis on dialogue, engagement and cooperation among various stakeholders. We have underlined the primacy of States in fulfilling their human rights obligations. We have endeavored to build consensus in the council on various issues on its Agenda and we have participated in deliberations in the council in a constructive manner," the MEA said.

Emphasizing that the UPR is an important mechanism that India "fully supports," the MEA described it as a unique peer review process of Human Rights Council under which UN member States review the human rights performance of fellow member States.

"It has emerged as one of the successful human rights mechanisms, due to its universal character, constructive and consultative approach, and the importance it places on dialogue and cooperation amongst member States," the MEA noted.

The ministry went on to say that the UPR mechanism also reinforces the centrality of States in assuming and fulfilling their human rights obligations. "India has actively participated in the review of other States and we in turn welcome the 131 member States who have registered to engage in our peer review," the MEA added.

States under Review have to take position on all UPR recommendations received, by either supporting or noting them. India's UPR outcome report will be adopted at the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council in March 2023.