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| English.news.cn 2013-03-19 17:28:49 |        |
COLOMBO, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is to formally respond to a new U.S. resolution on Sri Lanka tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council, an External Affairs Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.
Spokesman Rodney Perera said that the government was studying the document and will respond to it when it is discussed at the Council.
The United States on Monday tabled the final version of the resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, with co-sponsors such as Austria, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway and Britain.
In a toned down document as compared to the previous drafts, the resolution requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, with input from relevant special procedures mandate holders, as appropriate, to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its 24th session, and a comprehensive report followed by a discussion at the 25th session, on the implementation of the present resolution.
The U.S. government said it had alerted the government last year on the possibility of taking action on Sri Lanka if there was no progress in human rights related issues.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, on Monday, said that Sri Lanka had been alerted last year by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she met Sri Lanka's External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris.
Nuland said that the United States is working with several governments on the resolution on Sri Lanka submitted at the UN Human Rights Council.
First version of the resolution states the following .
ReplyDeletehere is part 1
Draft Resolution HRC 22
Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka
The Human Rights Council,
PP1 - Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human
Rights and other relevant instruments, (PP1 19/2)
PP2 Recalling Human Rights Council Resolution 19/2 on Promoting
Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka,
PP3 Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of the Government of Sri
Lanka to ensure the full enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental
freedoms of its entire population;
PP4 Reaffirming that States must ensure that any measure taken to
combat terrorism complies with their obligations under international
law, in particular international human rights, refugee and
humanitarian law, as applicable, (PP3 19/2)
PP5 Taking note of the Government of Sri Lanka's National Plan of
Action to Implement the Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and its commitments as set forth in
response to the findings and recommendations of the LLRC,
PP6 Noting with concern that the National Plan of Action does not
adequately address all of the findings and constructive
recommendations of the LLRC,
PP7 Recalling the constructive recommendations contained in the LLRC's
report, including the need to credibly investigate widespread
allegations of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances,
demilitarize the north of Sri Lanka, implement impartial land dispute
resolution mechanisms, re-evaluate detention policies, strengthen
formerly independent civil institutions, reach a political settlement
on the devolution of power to the provinces, promote and protect the
right of freedom of expression for all and enact rule of law reforms,
(PP5 19/2 modified)
PP8 Also noting with concern that the National Plan of Action and the
LLRC's report do not adequately address serious allegations of
violations of international law, (PP6 19/2, modified)
PP9 Expressing concern at the continuing reports of violations of
human rights in Sri Lanka, including enforced disappearances,
extra-judicial killings, torture, violations of the rights to freedom
of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as
intimidation of and reprisals against human rights defenders, members
of civil society and journalists, and threats to judicial independence
and the rule of law,
PP10 Also noting with concern the failure by the Government of Sri
Lanka to fulfill its public commitments, including on devolution of
political authority, which is integral to reconciliation and the full
enjoyment of human rights by all members of its population,
First version of the resolution states the following .
ReplyDeletehere is part 2
PP11 Expressing appreciation for the Government of Sri Lanka's efforts
in facilitating the visit of a technical mission from the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and
encouraging the Government of Sri Lanka to increase its dialogue and
cooperation with the OHCHR,
Welcomes the Report of the OHCHR on advice and technical assistance
for the Government of Sri Lanka on promoting reconciliation and
accountability in Sri Lanka and the recommendations and conclusions
contained therein, in particular on the establishment of a
truth-seeking mechanism as an integral part of a more comprehensive
and inclusive approach to transitional justice; and notes the High
Commissioner's call for an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights
law and international humanitarian law;
Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations in
the OHCHR report;
Reiterates its call upon the Government of Sri Lanka to expeditiously
and effectively implement the constructive recommendations made in the
LLRC report and to take all necessary additional steps to fulfill its
relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and
independent actions to ensure justice equity, accountability,
including investigations of violations of international law, and
reconciliation for all Sri Lankans; (OP1 19/2, modified)
Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with special procedures
mandate holders and formally respond to outstanding requests,
including by providing unfettered access to the Special Rapporteurs on
independence of judges and lawyers; human rights defenders; freedom of
expression; freedom of association and assembly; the Working Group on
enforced or involuntary disappearances; and discrimination against
women;
Encourages the OHCHR and relevant special procedures mandate holders
to provide, in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the
Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on
implementing the above-mentioned steps; (OP3 19/2, modified)
Requests the OHCHR, with input from relevant special procedures
mandate holders, as appropriate, to present an interim report at the
twenty-fourth session and a report in an interactive dialogue at the
twenty-fifth session of the Human Rights Council, on the
implementation of the resolution.