Breaking Ice To Avoid Avalanches In Geneva

May 22, 2012 

By Austin Fernando -

Austin Fernando

Minister GL Pieris has recently stated the Sri Lankan Government’s (SLG’s) stance on responding to international demands to solve the domestic political crisis. In theUS, to be heard also by the Diaspora, he emphasized on a “domestic process,” “not donor-driven or foreign-owned,” possessing a “home-grown element,” as solution to the crisis.

He further noted that SLG has “recently initiated a process” to implement LLRC recommendations meaningfully, after extensive consultation within the government. He deliberately skipped the unabated nasty anti-LLRC sentiments orchestrated by some coalition partners within the government and instinctively prioritized resettlement and ongoing economic and infrastructure development in the North as achievements.

Seriousness of international demands

The ‘international demands’ he has in mind are encapsulated in the Geneva Resolution (GR) which has four important foci. They are:

• SLG has to implement the ‘constructive LLRC recommendations’ and take steps to fulfill relevant legal obligations and commitments to initiate credible and independent actions, to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans. I may say that there are many constructive recommendations (e.g. 9:14, 9:23, 9:37, 9:39, 9:60 etc) that could be implemented to prove SLG’s genuineness;
• SLG has to present, as expeditiously as possible, “a comprehensive action plan” (AP) detailing the steps taken and will take to implement the LLRC recommendations, and address alleged international law violations;
• Encourage the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with, and with the concurrence of the SLG, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above mentioned steps; and,
• The Office of the High Commissioner to present a report on the provision of such assistance to the Human Rights Council at its 22^nd Session. This seemingly makes the UNHRC Report (positive / negative) mandatory.
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