I ... A/C.3/39/SR.48 English Page 9 31. Mr. RATHORE (India), speaking on agenda item 99, said that the right to freedom from torture stemmed from the principle of the inherent dignity and inviolability of the human person, which was recognized in relevant international instruments. The international community and the United Nations had tried to establish standards to ensure that that right was duly protected nationally and internationally. In 1975, the major step towards international legislation on torture had been taken when the General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Protection of all Persons from Being Subjected to Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. 32. His country had always supported the initiatives to elaborate international standards to ensure protection against torture and, during the thirty-second session of the General Assembly, had sponsored draft resolutions 32/62 and 32/64. A representative of India had also been the first Chairman of the working group on a draft Convention against Torture. His delegation stressed the importance of the adoption of a draft convention by consensus. Any international legal instrument must, in so far as possible, receive the widest possible acceptance and adherence since only then could it have universal application. In that connection, he welcomed the efforts of the representative of the Netherlands to hold a series of informal consultations. 33. It was an indisputable fact that every Member State was opposed to torture. However, many delegations, including his own, had experienced difficulties with some specific provisions of the draft, particularly with articles 19 and 20. It was essential to arrive at a generally acceptable text, which could be achieved through a slight amendment in the language of article 19. With regard to article 20, the United Nations system had already devised such instruments as a 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the international legal framework and efforts to prevent torture, highlighting the importance of a consensus-based approach to ensure universal application. The language used is formal and diplomatic, suggesting a context of international relations and human rights.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, International relations