Justice Surya Kant stated that “India has long shown a strong commitment to human rights, rooted in its Constitution and heritage,” highlighting the country’s proactive role in upholding human dignity even before global discussions gained momentum.
New Delhi: Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant praised India’s human rights record during a legal forum in Stockholm.
In his speech titled “Human Rights, the Indian Constitution and India as a Resilient Power,” Justice Kant emphasized the importance of evaluating each nation’s rights framework within the context of its unique legal traditions and historical experiences.
He advocated for global dialogues that prioritize mutual understanding over unilateral criticism.
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Without naming specific countries, he critiqued the contradiction of some Western nations portraying themselves as champions of human rights while enforcing strict immigration policies and often employing excessive force in domestic law enforcement.
His address traced India’s legal heritage from the Vedic period to the contemporary Constitution, illustrating how the country’s approach to human rights is influenced by both ancient philosophies and modern constitutional values.
Justice Kant defended institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and State Commissions, asserting that they are not merely symbolic but possess real authority to investigate, summon, and initiate actions, as outlined in the Protection of Human Rights Act of 1993.
In a speech addressing India’s human rights framework and its response to refugees, Justice Kant cautioned ,
“When unaccompanied by self-reflection or contextual understanding, undermine the very values they claim to uphold.”
His remarks come at a time of increasing global tensions surrounding refugee policies, migration control, and the balance between state sovereignty and humanitarian responsibilities.
He began by referencing India’s ancient legal traditions, quoting verses from the Rig Veda that affirm the intrinsic equality of all individuals. He discussed how the concept of Dharma provided a moral foundation that supports dignity, justice, and mutual responsibility.
Justice Kant highlighted that India’s approach to these issues is influenced by its constitutional values and ancient traditions that emphasize dignity and compassion. He reaffirmed that India is committed to enhancing its human rights framework and developing a more compassionate response to the refugee crisis, rooted in its civilizational ethos of compassion, dignity, and shelter.
He stated,
“India remains resolutely committed to strengthening its human rights framework and evolving a more effective, humane response to the refugee crisis that continues to challenge the global conscience,”
The judge called on the international community to recognize and respect the variety of approaches nations take in addressing human rights.
He remarked,
“Much like the diverse ways in which cultures savour their coffee, each shaped by unique histories, climates, and customs, every nation crafts its human rights framework and crisis responses in accordance with its legal traditions, socio-political realities, and cultural ethos.”
He added,
“Meaningful progress lies not in uniformity, but in mutual understanding, where each nation is afforded the dignity of its own path, shaped by both heritage and contemporary responsibility,”
Justice Kant noted the transition from indigenous justice systems to colonial rule, describing the British era as one characterized by systematic rights denial. He referenced historical events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the Champaran oppression, and the Bengal famine, highlighting that the colonial legal system was designed to entrench power rather than protect rights.
Justice Kant reminded the audience that India is well-acquainted with the idea of human rights, having cultivated its philosophical foundations long before contemporary frameworks emerged.
He stated,
“India has historically demonstrated a strong commitment to human rights, rooted in its constitutional framework and heritage, long before these conversations gained widespread global traction,”
He highlighted the judiciary’s vital role in actualizing constitutional promises, particularly the evolution of the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21. This right has expanded from a narrow interpretation in the 1950s to encompass privacy, education, legal aid, a clean environment, and even the right to die with dignity.
Justice Kant also warned against imposing a uniform model of human rights enforcement across nations. He likened this to the diverse coffee cultures worldwide, stating that just as each society enjoys coffee in its own fashion, human rights frameworks should reflect local realities and traditions.