Sri Lanka appoints committee to make recommendations on draft US resolution
Mar 11, Colombo: The government of Sri Lanka has appointed a committee to study and make recommendations on the draft resolution on Sri Lanka that has been tabled by the United States at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Karunathilaka Amunugama has said that the government is in possession of the new draft resolution and the committee would study it.
He has explained that the government would decide on the appropriate response after the committee submits its recommendations.
The U.S. formally submitted the draft resolution A/HRC/22/L.1 “Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka” to the UNHRC at its 22nd session on Friday (08).
The government vehemently rejected the new resolution saying that the resolution is “substantive, intrusive and political in nature,” and far from a procedural resolution as the US said earlier.
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN Ravinatha Aryasinha intervening at the informal meeting arranged by the US to present the draft resolution said the resolution is unfair, biased, and unjust.
Aryasinha has conveyed the government’s position on the resolution to the US Ambassador for Human Rights, Eileen Donahoe during a meeting with her Friday that Sri Lanka does not intend to negotiate with the US on the text of the draft resolution.
The new resolution welcomed the report by the High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on advice and technical assistance for the government to promote reconciliation and accountability and in particular, supported the establishment of a “truth-seeking mechanism as an integral part of a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to transitional justice.”
It noted her call for an “independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”
The draft resolution noted that the government’s National Plan of Action does not adequately address all of the findings and constructive recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and called upon the government to expeditiously and effectively implement the constructive recommendations made in the LLRC.
The resolution urged the government to cooperate with special procedures mandate holders and formally respond to outstanding requests, especially to provide unfettered access to the Special Rapporteurs on independence of judges and lawyers, and human rights defenders among others.
