The six-day Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Executive Capacity Building Programme on human rights for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of the Global South successfully concluded in New Delhi. The programme was organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The valedictory session was addressed by the NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian in the presence of Registrar (Law), Shri Joginder Singh, Joint Secretaries, Shri Samir Kumar and Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak and other senior officers.

The programme, which began on 22nd September, 2025, witnessed participation of 43 senior functionaries from 12 NHRIs of Mauritius, Jordan, Georgia, Philippines, Qatar, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Bolivia, Nigeria, Mali, Morocco and Paraguay. The programme included interactive sessions with eminent persons and domain experts and participants got exposure to various aspects of civic and political rights as well as socio-economic and cultural rights enjoyed by the people of India.

The speakers included NHRC Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, Member, Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal, Shri V. K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, Shri Rajeev Kumar, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr. Dnyaneshwar M. Mulay and Shri Rajiv Jain, former Members, NHRC, Shri Yugal Kishore Joshi, Mission Director at NITI Aayog, Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji, former PR of India to UN, Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India, Smt. Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment, India, Smt. Sumita Dawra, former Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Shri Manoj Yadava and Shri Ajay Bhatnagar, former DGs(I), NHRC, Shri Surajit Dey, former Registrar (Law), NHRC and Shri Samir Kumar, Joint Secretary, NHRC. The programme was also enriched by the sharing of the experiences by the participating senior functionaries of various NHRIs.

In his closing remarks, the NHRC, India Chairperson, Justice Shri V. Ramasubramanian, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all the participants for their camaraderie and positive energy during the programme. He said that good vibrations generated during such interactive events raise the hope and sow the seed for a better world tomorrow amidst the strife ridden challenging times. Reiterating his remarks while inaugurating this programme on 22nd September, 2025, he said that NHRC, India would continue to host ITEC Executive Capacity Building Programmes to provide a forum to learn together, share and grow together in line with the ancient Indian ethos.

Complementing a suggestion from a senior functionary of the Nigerian NHRI, Justice Ramasubramanian said that indeed it is time to think of forming up an alliance of the Global South Human Rights Institutions, as one size fits all approach cannot be the solution for all the countries to address human rights issues given their different socio-economic cultural and political realities.

NHRC, India Secretary General, Shri Bharat Lal in his opening remarks of the programme had also called upon the Global South to unite in advancing socio-economic and human development to secure collective well-being.

The participants lauded the NHRC, India and the MEA for organising this programme. They said that it gave an opportunity to learn about various aspects of human rights, good governance and ancient Indian ethos of respecting human rights in a democracy with diverse social, cultural, religious and linguistic identities. The Participants also got the opportunity to visit iconic places like Pradhan Mantri Museum, Parliament of India, Garba Festival and Taj Mahal to have an immersive experience of India’s rich cultural heritage.

NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Shri Samir Kumar, the programme coordinator presented the report on the training programme. He said that we must strive for more nuanced approach while accepting and building the universalities of human rights. He applauded the active engagement of participants and the invaluable exchange of knowledge throughout the programme. NHRC, India Joint Secretary, Smt. Saidingpuii Chhakchhuak delivered the vote of thanks.

*****

NSK