India Showcases Experience in Human Rights at UN Council Debate
Geneva, Switzerland — On October 7, during the 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, India shared its valuable experience in South-South cooperation and building capacity in human rights. Hansraj Singh, from the Sambhali Trust, spoke about the significance of sharing practical knowledge and collaborating to strengthen human rights institutions.
Singh highlighted a six-day training program that took place in September 2025, organized by the National Human Rights Commission of India in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. This program gathered 43 senior officials from 12 national human rights institutions, focusing on governance and human rights.
During his address, Singh illustrated how India’s efforts in South-South cooperation can effectively strengthen institutions through the exchange of practical experiences and enhancing their capabilities. He emphasized that technical assistance is most impactful when it is tailored to real needs and local contexts, ensuring institutions can continue their work independently even after external support concludes.
Drawing from Sambhali Trust’s grassroots experience in Rajasthan, Singh stressed the importance of reaching local communities. He argued that training and support are more effective when they are delivered in clear language, use relevant examples, and include follow-up assistance. This approach helps communities and civil society effectively understand and utilize the knowledge they gain.
Singh encouraged the United Nations and member countries to adopt this strategy by involving local institutions and community organizations wherever possible. He pointed out that the success of capacity-building programs should not just be measured by the number of participants but also by the long-term effects of the training.
He concluded with a strong message about the need for sustainable knowledge transfer: “Capacity-building succeeds when knowledge remains after the experts have left.”
Through his remarks, Sambhali Trust underlined India’s commitment to fostering practical cooperation in the human rights field, highlighting the essential connection between institutions, civil society, and local communities for effective and lasting capacity-building.
