08 March, 2012  |
| Resolution is watered down - Sunila |
Sri Lanka’s human rights issue are causing huge divisions in the United Nations.
The member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council are currently informally debating a resolution which was sponsored by the United States following Sri Lanka’s bloody civil war, and it’s causing strong disagreements between them.
Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya, human rights activist Sunila Abeysekera who has been observing the debates in Geneva said “divisions between countries in the Human Rights Council became apparent when they debated the draft resolution on Sri Lanka.”.
 |  We stood for a stronger resolution and after heavy bargaining the countries managed to reach this position. There’s a lot more talking to do |
The Americans have sponsored a draft resolution, calling for the Sri Lankan government to implement recommendations in the Lesson Leaned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). The LLRC was appointed by the Sri Lankan government to investigate alleged human rights abuses during the final days of the civil war.
The Americans now want the recommendations in the LLRC report to be implemented and for the Sri Lankan government to present a comprehensive plan to address alleged violations.
But during the debate, Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Non Align Movement, made it clear that the Sri Lankan government should given more time to implement an action plan to reconcile.
India silent
China, Russia, Algeria, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand stood against the resolution, but India, African countries and Latin American nations remained silent.
Meanwhile, the European Union stressed the need of a stronger resolution that would make Sri Lanka more accountable for alleged human rights abuses, but stopped short of submitting any amendments to the resolution.
However, human rights groups are disappointed with the resolution. Sunila Abeysekara described it as “watered down”.
“We stood for a stronger resolution and after heavy bargaining the countries managed to reach this position. There’s a lot more talking to do.”
Meanwhile, the human rights watchdog, Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) which supports the resolution, described it as conducive to promote the rule of law in Sri Lanka. They encouraged everyone to participate in the debate constructively and to support the resolution, seeing it as a window of opportunity to bring about improvements in Sri Lanka.
The resolution is expected to be tabled on March 23rd.
