India must protect human rights of all communities: UN chief Antonio Guterres in Mumbai

MUMBAI: "As an elected member of the Human Rights Council, India has a responsibility to shape global human rights, and to protect and promote the rights of all individuals, including members of minority communities," said United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres in the city on Wednesday.
"India's voice on the global stage can only gain in authority and credibility from a strong commitment to inclusivity and respect for human rights at home," he said while addressing students from IIT-Bombay.
Condemn hate speech in one voice, UN chief urges Indians
In his address to IIT-B students on India's role in international affairs and strengthening South-South Cooperation on Wednesday, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said the Indian model of plurality is based on a simple, but profound understanding that diversity is a richness that makes the country stronger.
"That understanding is the birthright of every Indian, but it is not a guarantee. It must be nurtured, strengthened and renewed every day," said Guterres.He added that this could be achieved by practising the values of Mahatma Gandhi, by securing and upholding the rights and dignity of all people, especially the most vulnerable, by taking concrete action for inclusion, recognizing the enormous value and contributions of multicultural and multi-religious societies.
Guterres also stressed the need for condemning hate speech unequivocally, and protecting the rights and freedoms of journalists, human rights activists, students and academics, and ensuring the continued independence of India's judiciary. He said this is the India that the world has celebrated. "I urge Indians to be vigilant and to increase investments in inclusive, pluralistic, diverse communities and societies," he added.
Speaking about gender equality, the UN secretary general said a lot needs to be done to advance women's rights in India and in the world. "This is a moral imperative, and it is also a multiplier for prosperity and sustainability. No society can reach its full potential without equal rights and freedoms for women, men, girls and boys." During the question and answer session, Guterres described violence against women as a 'big cancer' and called for an emergency plan to tackle it in every country. He said women activists and politicians are targeted on social media and noted that violence through social media is enormous. The emergency plan to fight violence against women should cover all aspects such as training of the police, judiciary and making sure that "there is clear accountability in society in relation to violence against women". The UN is working to achieve gender parity within its organisation, he said. "I must confess that there is one problem that I did not manage to solve. Many people thought -and I fully respect that- the secretary general of the United Nations must be a woman," he said.Guterres said India is increasing its impact on the international stage by extending support to neighbouring countries... through 'your donations of medicines, equipment and vaccines at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, through your humanitarian assistance and development finance in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka'.
Speaking at the Powai-based premier institute, Guterres said the G20 countries are responsible for 80% of global emissions and that they must take the lead in cutting greenhouse gases. He urged emerging economies to help close the mitigation gap. "But they can only do this with the support of developed countries," he added.