National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairperson Justice (Retd) V. Ramasubramanian participated virtually in the First Consultative Meeting of National Human Rights Institutions, State Bodies, and other Organizations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states. The event took place in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, with NHRC Secretary General Bharat Lal and Joint Secretary Samir Kumar also in attendance. The meeting saw the participation of various dignitaries from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Belarus, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and cooperation in addressing contemporary challenges.
Justice Ramasubramanian praised the Kyrgyz Republic for leading the first consultative meeting under its SCO Chairmanship, highlighting the significance of regular interactions among NHRIs and related bodies. He stressed the crucial role of NHRIs in building trust between the State and society, promoting social stability, and fostering regional cooperation based on principles of respect, non-interference, equality, and mutual consideration. The NHRC Chairperson welcomed the draft protocol’s objectives, focusing on information exchange, best practices dissemination, expert cooperation, and coordinated approaches to human rights issues.
Emphasizing the value of structured learning and cross-border engagement, Justice Ramasubramanian highlighted NHRC India’s support for deeper cooperation within the SCO framework. He expressed confidence that the consultative mechanism would evolve into a significant platform for dialogue, cooperation, and exchange of experiences among institutions dedicated to upholding human rights and freedoms.
