8 NOVEMBER2022As nations criticized India's human rights record at the UN, they asked it to take a stronger stance against sexual violence and religious discrimination as well as to ratify the convention against torture. As it listened to criticism from other countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council, New Delhi said it valued the role played by human rights advocates and that it would only use the death penalty in `the rarest of rare circumstances'. Indian Solicitor General Tushar Mehta addressed the council by stating that India `condemns all forms of torture and maintains an inviolable attitude against arbitrary imprisonment, torture, rape or sexual violence by anyone'. The UN Convention Against Torture has been signed by New Delhi, however it has not yet been ratified.India was about to undertake its UPR, which all 193 UN member states are required to do every four years. The US ambassador to the council, Michele Taylor, stated, "We suggest that India minimize the sweeping application of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and comparable measures against human rights activists, journalists, and religious minorities". "Violence and discrimination based on gender and religious affiliation continue despite legal protections. Human rights advocates and campaigners have been detained for an extended period of time due to the implementation of anti-terror laws", she added.In order to defend religious freedom, Canada encouraged India to look into all cases of sexual violence and to look into incidents of religious violence `particularly against Muslims'. Nepal urged New Delhi to `intensify its efforts to counter violence and discrimination against women and girls'. India was encouraged to `ensure that its existing laws against child labour, human trafficking, and forced labour are adequately implemented' by the British ambassador Simon Manley. China also urged India to work toward gender equality and `take efforts to eliminate human trafficking'.In contrast, Germany stated that it `remains concerned about the rights of marginalized groups', while Bhutan stated that India has to take additional action to address sexual offences against women and children. India was asked by Saudi Arabia to lower its rates of maternal and infant mortality. India was requested by Australia to formally suspend the death penalty. "Ensure unrestricted access to social networks and refrain from imposing any restrictions that may slow down or prohibit internet connections", Switzerland advised India.Mehta said that the right to free expression is guaranteed under the Indian constitution. However, in the interests of India's sovereignty, integrity, security, international relations, `public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence', `freedom of speech and expression is not absolute in nature and is subject to reasonable constraints'. He claimed that the state might control freedom of speech and expression when it amounted to hate speech by imposing reasonable limitations. Sanjay Verma, secretary of the Indian foreign ministry, concluded by stating that he will bring the suggestions back to New Delhi for consideration. He declared, "The government of India's unwavering commitment is for the promotion and protection of our people's human rights. India, the largest democracy in the world, is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of human rights". IN FOCUSINDIA URGES THE UN TO COMBAT SEXUAL VIOLENCEVIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION BASED ON GENDER AND RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION CONTINUE DESPITE LEGAL PROTECTIONS. HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND CAMPAIGNERS HAVE BEEN DETAINED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANTI-TERROR LAWS
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