Many Countries say UNHRC Commissioner’s Report is one-sided – India Demanded 13A
Click the URL link below to watch the speeches by countries on the UNHRC High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka delivered on 25th Feb. 2021.
The report of UNHRC High Commissioner’s which was widely criticized by many countries due to its one sided and country specific stance on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, prepared by the Office of the Human Rights High Commissioner (OHCHR), was taken up for discussion, during the 46th session of the UNHRC, once again on 25th Feb 2021.
Of the 38 countries that spoke during yesterday’s session, a majority of countries spoke in favour of supporting Sri Lanka’s national processes to achieve reconciliation and accountability, while rejecting country specific actions without the support of the country in question.
However, the Western bloc, backed by countries such as the United Kingdom, EU and the US voiced support for the contents and recommendations presented in the OHCHR’s report on Sri Lanka.
Representatives 0f Russia, China, Syria, Maldives, Venezuela, Cameroon, Belarus, Iran, Philippines, Korea, Pakistan, Gabon, Vietnam etc. speaking at the 46th session, welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts to improve reconciliation in the country and applauded the readiness of Sri Lanka to continue working with UN mechanisms.
The representative of Russia noted that Sri Lanka without external pressure should determine the priorities for action and the areas which require international assistance. Russia believes that this is the only way measures taken can be truly effective and facilitate a strengthening of the promotion of protection of HR in the country.
The Chinese representative, meanwhile, noted that they oppose the politicisation and double standards of the UNHRC while also opposing the use of human rights as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
China noted that they were concerned by the prominent lack of impartiality in the OHCHR report on Sri Lanka. It also noted that proposed targeted sanctions are a clear intervention in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs which overstep the mandate of the OHCHR.
The representative of the Belarus, speaking at the session, noted that they do not support the adoption of country specific resolutions without the agreement of the Government concerned. Belarus called out the report of the UN High Commissioner for being one-sided and partial noting that the OHCHR did not take into account the information provided by the Government of Sri Lanka.
Belarus also revealed that a large number of co-sponsors of resolution 30/1 and 40/1 have not had visits from special rapporteurs over the past five to 20 years while Sri Lanka had visits from 10 mandate holders over the past four years, which Belarus believes is a record. Belarus called on the UNHRC to continue mutually-respectful dialogue with member nations without pushing for politically motivated solutions.
The overarching theme expressed by most nations was that the international community should support the local mechanisms of Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom, echoed the concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner’s report such as lack of accountability, harassment of civil society and militarisation of civilian government functions. He also noted that UK is concerned by the Government’s policy on forced cremations.
Lord Ahmad also expressed regret about Sri Lanka’s decision to withdraw from resolution 30/1 adding that previous domestic initiatives had all failed to deliver meaningful accountability.
The representative from the U.S. noted that they share the concerns raised by the OHCHR and called on the Government of Sri Lanka to share a timetable for the implementation of the recommendations mentioned in the report. It should be noted that the Government of Sri Lanka has rejected the contents and recommendations of the most recent report by the UN High Commissioner.
Other countries such as the European Union, Norway, Canada and Germany also expressed similar views. North Macedonia, which is part of the core group of countries that moved resolution 30/1, called on the members of the Council to adopt the proposed resolution on Sri Lanka by consensus.
While India played the double game yesterday (25), in their speech and reiterated again that its consistent position on Sri Lanka was to support Sri Lanka’s unity and territorial integrity while abiding by the commitment to help fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils of Sri Lanka for equality, justice and dignity.
India’s representative in Geneva said the Council has adopted seven resolutions on the question of human rights in Sri Lanka since May 2009 when the three-decade conflict in the country ended. India supported the resolutions and voted against Sri Lanka in many instances. He noted that India was an active participant in the discussions on these resolutions and has remained engaged with Sri Lanka as its close friend and immediate neighbor. Pakistan highlighted in their speeches that the close neighbor of Sri Lanka had supported and promoted Tamil terrorism in Sri Lanka.
“We believe that respecting the rights of the Tamil community through meaningful devolution contributes directly to the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka. Therefore, we advocate that delivering on the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community is in the best interest of Sri Lanka.”
India also called upon Sri Lanka to take steps to address such aspirations through reconciliation and full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
The assessment of the High Commissioner, regarding the developments nearly 12 years from the end of the conflict, raises important concerns, India said. The statement further noted that the Sri Lankan Government has articulated its position on these issues as well and in evaluation of both, “we should be guided by a commitment to find a lasting and effective solution for this issue.”
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