Sri Lanka, along with the Britain-led \u2018core group\u2019, will co-sponsor a fresh resolution at the UN Human Rights Council on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in the country, authoritative sources said.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Zero Draft Resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka\u2019 is already in circulation. Among other things, it envisages continued involvement of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and special procedure mandate holders in advising and providing technical assistance \u201con the promotion and protection of human rights and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka\u201d.<\/p>\n
Only last week, President Maithripala Sirisena told the Sunday Times Political Editor that Sri Lanka was considering withdrawing co-sponsorship of the resolution. He maintained that Sri Lanka\u2019s armed forces have not committed \u2018war crimes\u2019 and that the worst crimes were carried out by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).<\/p>\n
The resolution also requests the OHCHR to continue to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and \u201cother relevant processes related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights\u201d. It bears upon the OHCHR to present a further written update on Sri Lanka\u2019s progress to the HRC at its 43rd session and a comprehensive report at its 46th session.<\/p>\n
The first open informal consultation on the zero draft resolution is scheduled to take place on Tuesday at the Palais de Nations in Geneva. At the UNHRC, informal consultations on proposals convened by main sponsors are the primary means for the negotiation of draft resolutions and decisions. They are convened by the sponsors and at least one should be held on each draft resolution before it is considered for action by the Council.<\/p>\n
The core group on Sri Lanka also comprises Canada, Germany, Macedonia and Montenegro. Britain has taken a lead role after the United States left the HRC last year. Till then, the US was the main force behind resolutions on Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Britain announced that it will work in partnership with Sri Lanka and look to continue the cooperation which began in 2015 to implement the commitments in HRC Resolution 30\/1.<\/p>\n
The five-page HRC\/RES\/30\/1, adopted on October 1, 2015, ties Sri Lanka to a set of commitments including the establishment of \u201ca commission for truth, justice, reconciliation and non-recurrence, an office of missing persons and an office for reparations\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Government also undertook to set up \u201ca judicial mechanism with a special counsel to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, as applicable\u201d and affirmed that the process \u201cshould include independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions led by individuals known for their integrity and impartiality\u201d.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s zero draft resolution recognises \u201cthe strong role played by Sri Lanka\u2019s democratic institutions in the peaceful resolution of the political situation\u201d that arose from October to December 2018. It welcomes the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons and appointment of Commissioners.<\/p>\n
The draft also welcomes the visits to the country of various special procedure mandate holders (special rapporteurs, working groups and independent experts). It notes with appreciation the return of \u201csome private land\u201d previously held by the military to civilians but recalls the Government\u2019s \u201crepeated public commitments\u201d to release all such lands.<\/p>\n
The others steps taken note of by the resolution include \u201cprogress towards establishing an Office on Reparations and the submission to Cabinet of a concept paper on a Bill to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the proposed repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act 1978 and the preparation of a draft Counter Terrorism Act\u201d. It underscores the need for \u201cfurther significant progress\u201d and encourages the adoption of a time-bound implementation strategy.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the latest OHCHR report on Sri Lanka is also expected to be released soon.<\/p>\n
Courtesy: Sunday Times<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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