‘Poor performance, must try harder’ verdict as India emerges from UN review

“Poor performance” was the resounding verdict of observers as the Indian government delegation emerged from a tough two-day examination by independent experts who make up the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR).

A host of civil society groups were in Geneva to witness the review which comes after a gap of 17 years in which India failed to submit reports on progress towards realizing rights including health, housing, food, water, education, work, social security, and gender equality.

Progress on all of these fronts was deemed “unsatisfactory”.

ActionAid’s Malini Subramanimam said: “Everyone appreciated India’s constitutional framework, the laws enacted and the policies formulated, but when it came to implementation there were no satisfactory answers.”

A chasm between the goal of education for all and the current situation was one example cited – more than half of Indian children drop out of school before they turn 14. The employment guarantee scheme not reaching those who need it most was another.

More growth not the answer

The 13-strong government delegation, led by India’s Ambassador to the UN, Swashpawan Singh, faced harsh questioning over the status of Dalits, tribals and Muslims, many of whom are being displaced from homes, land and livelihoods.

“While admitting that these groups are excluded from India’s economic growth story, the proposed solution of more growth of the same model was unconvincing. The UN panel voiced their disagreement.” reported Zakia Jowher of Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan who was also part of the civil society delegation in Geneva.

The argument put by the government delegation that rights are being realized progressively didn’t wash with the Committee who insisted that the government can’t get away from its “immediate obligation” to realize certain rights – basic needs such as food, housing, health and education.

Shadow reports

In its questioning, the UN Committee drew on evidence from ‘shadow reports’ submitted by more than 350 civil society groups that supplemented and countered information provided by the Government.

Agrarian crises leading to suicides by farmers, large-scale evictions in rural and urban areas, state-sponsored violence and social discrimination were some of the issues highlighted.

Worrying of rights of violations against women and girls include declining sex ratio, high maternal mortality, growing violence against women and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS.

When challenged over the large scale displacement of people for dams and industrial projects, Dr Pronab Sen, Secretary (Statistics), Government of India replied: “This is only the start. India’s North eastern states have huge potential for hydro power generation which we have not harnessed enough.”

For human rights watchers who have witnessed the impact of such projects, this translates into land struggles, displacement and loss of livelihoods on a massive scale.

Civil society awaits

Civil society anxiously awaits the committee’s recommendations in the form of ‘concluding observations,’ expected end May.

“We hope the views of this independent expert body will be taken seriously and the Government of India seizes the opportunity to critically review their own policies and performance,” says ActionAid’s Rashmi Shetty stating that the rule of law, democracy and dignity of the Indian people depend on it.

Shetty was one of the coordinators of a Shadow Report based on consultations with 152 NGOs (click here to read full list of organisations).

“Bold steps towards securing economic, social and cultural rights for all India’s citizens are the real measure of development, not double digit growth,” she adds.

Indian civil society groups in Geneva for the UN review include: National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights, FIAN-India, People’s Collective for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Programme on Women’s Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, National Alliance of Women, Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, ActionAid, Housing and Land Rights Network, Janhit Foundation, Ambedkar Centre for Justice and Peace, Centre for World Solidarity, People’s Watch, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan.