News Credit: OHCHR.org
In a resolution (A/HRC/40/L.1) on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka,
adopted without a vote, the Council requests the Government of Sri Lanka to implement fully the measures identified by the Council in its resolution 30/1 that are outstanding,
and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes relating to reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, and to present a written update to the Human Rights Council at its forty-third session, and a comprehensive report, to be followed by a discussion on the implementation of Council resolution 30/1, at its forty-sixth session.
United Kingdom, introducing resolution L.1 also on behalf of Canada, Germany, Montenegro and North Macedonia, said on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the end of the protracted armed conflict in Sri Lanka, efforts should be stepped up. In the first five years after the conflict, Sri Lanka chose not to adopt many measures to help advance reconciliation, accountability or human rights. In 2015, Sri Lanka committed to take steps towards these aims in the interest of every community in the country. The resolution sought to continue this process and recognized both the achievements over the past two years as well as the challenges. The countries encouraged Sri Lanka to accelerate its efforts to achieve the full implementation of the 2015 undertakings and to set up a time bound implementation plan to make progress and to strengthen its engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights through annual reports.
Peru, speaking in a general comment, welcomed the resolution and thanked the co-sponsors and the Sri Lankan Government for co-sponsoring it. This testified to their efforts to promote peace and reconciliation. Peru bore witness to the importance of transitional justice mechanisms and recommended that Sri Lanka set up the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Sri Lanka, speaking as the concerned country, considered the resolution as a mark of recognition of Sri Lanka’s commitment and progressive steps already taken by the Government since 2015. Sri Lanka had facilitated eight visits by Special Procedure mandate holders. Sri Lanka was committed to finding innovative and pragmatic solutions to protect the country’s national interests. Co-sponsorship of this year’s resolution assured all the victims that they would continue to move forward to ensure eventual closure of events. The Office of the High Commissioner was called on to engage with national institutions and independent bodies, including the national human rights commission, to verify the facts on the ground.
Draft resolution L.1 was then adopted without a vote.