“WE REJECT IT OUTRIGHT”: India SLAMS UN Rapporteur Gina Romero Over Youth Rights Allegations

A mandate holder who relies on anonymous inputs to generalize for 1.4 billion people and are protected by an independent judiciary, a free press, and an empowered National Human Rights Commission. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of India. Madam Chair, India takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association. In India, these freedoms, together with freedom of speech and expression, are guaranteed to every citizen under Article 19 of our Constitution and are protected by an independent judiciary a free press and an empowered national Human Rights Commission. Yet the Special Rapporteur Ms. Ge ne Romero asserts that young people in India face retaliation or stigmatization for discussing mental health or gender justice though merely citing unnamed submissions in the footnote this level of arbitrary report writing is precisely the reason that the United Nations and its institutions have lost credibility a sweeping charge against the world's largest youth population resting on anonymous and unverified claims is not evidence it is hearsay dressed up as a UN report and my delegation rejects it outright. Ironically the same report notes that young Indians created a satirical political movement in which repressive state does a satirical youth party questions the government marches on the capital and then sits across the table with senior national leaders the High Commissioner for Human Rights stated in the Human Rights Council last month that dialogue with young leaders is far more effective in the context of youth-led movement in India. Perhaps that update escaped the Special Rapporteur's attention. When students protested this summer over irregularities in public examinations, the government engaged constructively with the youth. Within weeks, Parliament amended the Public Examinations Act, doubling punishments for paper leaks, carried out systemic examination overhaul and created fast-track courts in every state, specifically dedicated to prosecuting individuals involved in exam fraud. This is the true testament of democracy in action. Youth represents our strength and shared future. In the words of our Prime Minister, youth's capability will become India's capability and their success will take India's success to new heights. Over 5 million young people took part in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue this year, shaping national priorities directly with the Prime Minister. Several ministers, including Honourable Prime Minister, continue to engage with youth of our country directly and through social media. Chair, a mandate holder who relies on anonymous inputs to generalize for 1.4 billion people, does a disservice to the very mandate she holds. We urge this special rapporteur to verify before she vilifies and to bring the required rigour and fairness in her reports. I thank you. the One India app now.