UN asks Rajapaksa government to honour commitments made in 2009

 Sunday, 13 April 2014 

The United Nations has while recalling the commitments made by the Sri Lankan government in its joint statement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in May 2009 and has called on Sri Lanka to remain committed to its undertaking.

The UN spokeswoman Eri Kaneko has told the Daily Mirror that the UN urged the Sri Lankan government to constructively engage and cooperate with the OHCHR in implementing the resolution adopted at the 25th UNHRC session in March.

She has made these comments in response to several statements made by the government recently on the upcoming investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian law during the conflict period in Sri Lanka.

Kaneko has also referred to External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris’s statement that the resolution was not welcome in Sri Lanka.

“The Secretary-General has consistently underlined the importance of an accountability process for addressing violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Sri Lanka. He welcomes the determination by the HR Chief to advance accountability and promote lasting peace and reconciliation in the country,” Kaneko has said adding that the UN would remain engaged with Sri Lanka to support efforts to make progress in accountability, reconciliation and a lasting political solution.