News
UK, Canada to table new UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka
View(s):- Govt. expects softer motion compared to previous resolutions
By Chandani Kirinde
The United Kingdom and Canada have informed the government that a new resolution on Sri Lanka will be presented at the 60th
session of the UN Human Rights Council next month, but the Government expects softened wording on it as compared to
previous resolutions.
This has been conveyed verbally to the Government.
However, with the US, which co-sponsored previous resolutions on Sri Lanka, having left the UNHRC, the composition of the new core group on Sri Lanka is likely to change, a senior government source said. Malawi, Montenegro and North Macedonia, which were part of the previous core group along with the UK, US and Canada, may not be party to the resolution this year, the source said.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk, who visited Sri Lanka in June, will present his report on the “Situation of human rights in Sri Lanka” at the 60th session. According to the draft programme, the report will be
presented on September 8, the day the session opens.
High Commissioner Türk visited the Chemmani mass grave site. This is likely to figure prominently in his report on Sri Lanka.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the sessions in Geneva and make a presentation on behalf of the Government.
Mr. Herath told the Sunday Times that since the new government took office last September, there had been a softening of the stance in the resolutions/submissions on Sri Lanka before the UNHRC. “The government has taken several measures to ensure that the domestic process to address accountability is strengthened and free of political interference,” he said.
The minister added that the setting up of an Independent Prosecutor’s Office, as pledged in the NPP election manifesto, would further enhance international confidence in the local mechanism.
“We are committed to setting up the Independent Prosecutor’s Office. The legal process in this regard will be addressed in the coming months,” he said.
With regard to growing calls for an international inquiry into the Chemmani mass grave site, Mr. Herath said the matter came under the judiciary, and there was no government interference in the matter.
“There have been other such sites, such as in Mannar and Matale, and the Government has allowed the due process to take place with exhumations and holding inquiries. We are transparent in these matters,” he said.
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