UK working with UNHRC members for the next resolution on Sri Lanka

 Friday, 20 December 2013 

The British government has 

commenced working with member states on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to present a resolution on Sri Lanka due to the government’s failures in addressing issues of concern.

The British government has reportedly said it is looking at co-sponsoring a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in March next year.

The UK Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire has said that Britain regularly discuss Sri Lanka including accountability, with a range of other EU, Commonwealth and international partners.

He has noted that in those discussions they are exploring options, including the contents of a UNHRC resolution, ahead of the March session.
Swire has recalled that the UK previously co-sponsored the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka in March 2013, which urged Sri Lanka to conduct an independent investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

“We will coordinate closely with the members of the UNHRC to build support for an appropriate resolution on Sri Lanka,” he has said.

He has also observed that Britain continues to press the Sri Lankan government for credible, transparent and independent investigations into alleged war crimes and the UK has made clear that these investigations need to have begun properly by March or Britain will use its seat on the UN Human Rights Council to call for an international investigation.