A/HRC/8/52 page 151 414. The International Islamic Federation of Student Organizations referred to concerns about torture, summary executions and minority rights mentioned in the recommendations made for India. It highlighted the need to ratify the Convention against Torture and to give the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture access to India to investigate pending complaints. The issue of impunity was also stressed, particularly in regard to the killings of Sikhs in 1984 and the massacre of Muslims in 2002. 415. Interfaith International stated that torture is a prevalent issue in India and is a tool frequently used against minorities and low castes in order to extract desired confessions. It stated that it will be in order for India to ratify the Convention against Torture as well as to provide the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture with unhindered access to India to investigate complaints of torture particularly in the North East of India and the Punjab. Discrimination against low castes and the need to recognize casteism as a form of racism were also highlighted as issues for India to address. Reference was made to the work of the Government appointed committee to investigate the issue of impunity under the Armed Forces Act, which recommended the Act’s abrogation and that this recommendation had not yet been implemented. It stated that the issue of impunity was associated with the killings of Sikhs in 1984 and the massacre of Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. It recommended that all special procedures pay increased attention to these issues. 4. Views expressed on the outcome by the State under review and concluding remarks 416. Following concluding remarks were made by India on the outcome of the review. The Head of Delegation thanked everyone for their presence and participation as well as for their warm expressions of friendship and goodwill for India. India reciprocated those sentiments. 417. The delegation had listened carefully to all the statements made, including those by non-governmental organizations and the National Human Rights Commission of India. He stated that India was encouraged by their active participation in the debate and the fact that many non-governmental organizations from India were able to come all the way to Geneva to participate in this meeting was reflective of the vibrancy of India’s civil society. A number of issues were raised in those statements. Where issues had already been addressed by India in the interactive dialogue, he invited participants to refer to the report of the Working Group and to its response to the recommendations made during the interactive dialogue. He proceeded to make some general remarks and broad observations on some issues. 418. India was conscious of its human rights challenges; no country in the world can claim a perfect human rights record and India did not claim to have one. Implementation in a country as vast, populous and diverse as India was always a challenging task and there would always be some instances resulting in human rights violations. What was important, he said, was to have in place an effective institutional framework to address such violations. India’s democratic polity with an independent and impartial judiciary, free and independent press, a vibrant civil society and powerful and independent National Human Rights Commission, provided the requisite framework for the promotion and protection of human rights. A range of legislative and administrative measures had been taken to seek improvement in all aspects of human life. India has persevered diligently and would continue to do so; it was a work in progress. India remained open to suggestions and advice. In this regard, the delegation had carefully noted the