India-EU discuss ways to foster greater engagement on human rights issues

Reiterating their commitment to human rights, India and the European Union emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights. They also exchanged views on strengthening human rights, including in social, economic and cultural spheres.

New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) on Monday reiterated their commitment to human rights and emphasised the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights.

This development comes during the 9th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue held in pursuance of the decision taken on the 15th India-European Union Summit in July 2020.

During the Dialogue, the participants exchanged views on strengthening human rights, including in social, economic and cultural spheres.

They discussed civil and political rights, freedom of religion or belief, women empowerment, children's rights, rights of minorities and vulnerable groups, the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Both the EU and India expressed the need to foster greater engagement on human rights issues, based on internationally recognised human rights laws and standards.

The two sides recognized the importance of strengthening the human rights mechanisms for its promotion and the role of national human rights institutions, civil society actors and journalists in this regard, the MEA said.

The European Union reiterated its opposition to capital punishment in all cases and without exception.

They discussed enhancing India-EU cooperation in international fora, particularly at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

In this regard, the Indian delegation proposed to hold regular exchanges between their respective Permanent Missions to the UN based in Geneva and to explore cooperation at the UNHRC.

India and the EU further reiterated their commitment to the shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights and also looked forward to the next edition of the Dialogue next year.

The Human Rights Dialogue was co-chaired by Joint Secretary for Europe West in the Ministry of External Affairs, Sandeep Chakravorty, and the Ambassador of the European Union to India, Ugo Astuto.