Sirisena wants to withdraw from UNHRC resolution
24 February 2019
Lanka's president Maithripala Sirisena said he wishes the country could withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council resolution that it co-sponsored, in an interview to the Sunday Times.
"I would wish we can withdraw from it. Discussions are now on over this matter," he was quoted by the Colombo based paper as saying.
His comments come just days before the UNHRC's session is due to start in Geneva where the resolution is expected to feature.
“We are preparing for these sessions. We have shown some progress. Our armed forces have not committed war crimes. The worst crimes were committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),” Sirisena added.
Tamil victims have consistently rejected the government's claims it would provide justice and accountability, and are increasingly calling for a referral to the International Criminal Court as the only means of ensuring justice.
