Resolution on Sri Lanka adopted at the UNHRC
Resolution on
Sri Lanka adopted at the UNHRC with the votes of 25 countries
Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 07:18 pm SL Time
Mar 21, Geneva: The United Nations Human
Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday adopted the resolution sponsored by the
United States with 25 votes in favor, 13 against and 8 abstentions.
Adopting the resolution, the 47-member UNHRC
reiterated its call made in the resolution adopted last year for Sri Lanka to
effectively implement the constructive recommendations made in the report of
the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and to take all
necessary measures to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure
justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans.
Tabling the resolution Promoting
reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka which is a follow up of last
year's resolution 19/2, the United States said Sri Lanka must take meaningful
action on reconciliation and accountability and address the growing concerns
over the deteriorating human rights situation.
The resolution welcomed and acknowledged
important progress that has been made in certain areas in Sri Lanka, but also
recognized that much has to be done. The
U.S. said it stands ready to assist Sri Lanka with this "vital work".
India along with 24 other countries voted for
the resolution while Japan and Malaysia abstained from voting. Congo, Ecuador,
Indonesia, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar,
Thailand, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela voted against the
resolution.
Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia,
Kazakhstan, and Kenya also abstained from voting.
The resolution adopted today welcomed the
report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) on advice and technical assistance for the Sri Lankan government on
promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka and its
recommendations and conclusions, in particular on the establishment of a
truth-seeking mechanism as an integral part of a more comprehensive and
inclusive approach to transitional justice.
The resolution called for the Sri Lankan government
to cooperate with special procedures mandate holders and to respond formally to
their outstanding requests, including by extending invitations and providing
access. It encourages the OHCHR and
relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with
and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical
assistance on implementing the measures recommended. The resolution also requests the OHCHR, with
input from relevant special procedures mandate holders, as appropriate, to
present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its 24th session, and a
comprehensive report followed by a discussion on the implementation of the
present resolution at its 25th session.
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