New Delhi [India]: The 11th India-European Union (EU) Human Rights Dialogue took place in New Delhi on Wednesday, underlining the shared commitment of both India and the EU to the promotion and protection of human rights.
Dialogue Co-Chaired by Senior Officials:
The event was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Joint Secretary (Europe West) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India. Both sides praised the regular and meaningful discussions facilitated under the Dialogue framework.
Celebrating Democratic Achievements:
At the outset, the two sides congratulated voters in India and the EU for their participation in the 2024 General Elections in India and European Parliament Elections, both of which were seen as strong demonstrations of the political and electoral rights of their citizens.
Shared Commitment to Human Rights Principles:
India and the EU reiterated their shared commitment to the values of democracy, rule of law, and human rights. They emphasized the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of all human rights. The two sides also recognized the importance of safeguarding the independence and diversity of civil society actors, journalists, and other stakeholders involved in the promotion of human rights.
Key Discussion Points:
During the meeting, both India and the EU discussed a wide range of human rights issues, including:
- Civil and political rights
- Social, economic, and cultural rights
- Freedom of religion and belief
- Countering religious hatred
- Gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights
- Women’s empowerment
- Technology and human rights
- Rights of children and migrants
Both parties also reaffirmed their opposition to capital punishment and agreed on the need to strengthen national and international human rights mechanisms.
Multilateral Cooperation for Human Rights:
The EU and India agreed to enhance cooperation in multilateral forums, particularly at the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). They pledged to work closely together and maintain regular exchanges at the UN to identify opportunities for joint action on human rights issues globally.
Looking Ahead to Future Dialogues:
Both sides also discussed humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and other collaborative efforts based on international humanitarian law. They expressed hope for continuing their constructive dialogue in the 12th EU-India Human Rights Dialogue, scheduled for 2026.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the EU Delegation to India and Bhutan emphasized the importance of the discussions, stating: “Substantial, free, and frank discussions reaffirming shared commitment to democracy and advancing human rights for all.”
