The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
The United Nations Human Rights Council has been given a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka's 37-year long civil war that ended in 2009.
The 47-member council on Tuesday adopted a resolution on Tuesday, brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries, boosting UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet’s staff and powers, with a view to future prosecutions.
22 countries voted in favour of the text, 11 opposed and 14 abstained, including Sri Lanka’s neighbours, India and Nepal and most Muslim majority countries, except for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, who voted against the motion.
In the resolution the UNHCR expressed "deep concern" at the “deteriorating situation" in Sri Lanka, and criticised the erosion of judicial independence, marginalisation of minorities and impunity.
The text pointed to trends emerging over the past year, which according to Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, speaking on behalf of the European Union, represent clear early “warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka”
In his introductory comments, UK Representative to the UN, Julian Braithwaite warned of trends which “threaten to reverse the limited gains made in recent years and risked the recurrence of policies and practices that gave rise to the grave violations of the past.”
Tichy-Fisslberger highlighted the “accelerating militarisation of civilian government functions, "the erosion of the independence of the judiciary", and "increased marginalisation" of Tamil and Muslim minorities, which has been “exacerbated” by the island's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the prevention of Muslims and members of other religions from practicing their own religious burial rites.
The resolution also called on the Sri Lankan government to revise the law on the prevention of terrorism which rights groups have warned is being used as a weapon targeting dissidents and minorities in the country.
Under the PTA, the detention of anyone suspected of causing "acts of violence or religious, racial or communal disharmony” is allowed.
In the vote, Asian countries including China and the Philippines closed ranks around Sri Lanka's government, while Japan abstained.
Representative for the Philippines, Evan P. Garcia, said the text was “driven by simplistic generalisations of complex conditions on the ground,” whilst Pakistan’s spokesperson, Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi argued that the draft resolution “fails to acknowledge the long struggle of the Sri Lankan people and government against LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam),” and “shies away from a call for accountability of the LTTE and its sponsors and financiers”.
Sri Lanka's ambassador, C.A. Chandraprema, rejected the text as "unhelpful and divisive”. He argued it would “polarise Sri Lankan society and adversely affect economic development, peace and harmony.”
1. Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying.
2. Wide shot, Assembly Hall in line with COVID-19 distancing measures, Palais des Nations.
3. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN in Geneva Mr. Julian Braithwaite: “This resolution and this courtroom is not anti Sri Lanka. We are friends of Sri Lanka and its people, We bring this resolution in the hope that it will help advance the human rights of all communities, including Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sinhala or Tamil And most importantly that it will help prevent the recurrence of past grave violations which the high commissioners report wants this council about in such clear terms.”
4. Mid of President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan.
5. Austria (on behalf of the European Union), Ms. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger: “ This resolution is also important given the warning signs of a deteriorating Human Rights situation including the erosion of democratic checks and balances, rise of exclusionary rhetoric, intensified surveillance and intimidations of CSO’s, human rights defenders and victims as well as discrimination of people belonging to religious and ethnic minority communities. the EU is deeply concerned about these developments, We call on the government of the Sri Lanka to continue to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka including through cooperation on this resolution. For the above reasons the EU supports resolution L1/Rev.1 and hopes it will be adopted by this council, by consensus.
6.Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.
7. Philippines, Mr. Evan P. Garcia: “There is no merit in actions by the council that disrespect these national processes and are driven by simplistic generalisations of complex conditions on the ground. Many of us in Geneva are sheltered from the actual experience of terrorism, conflict and social economic challenges that are everyday realities for 21 million people. This is a handicap that prevents some council members from being more sober in their judgements about the situation in Sri Lanka and from flexing the powers of the council more wisely. Madam President the Philippines will vote on this resolution and we ask other council members to apply wisdom responsibility and sobriety on this matter and do the same.”
8.Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.
9.Pakistan, Mr. Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi: “Madam President, the draft resolution fails to acknowledge the long struggle of the Sri Lankan people and government against LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) an internationally recognised terrorist organisation. The horrendous terrorist activities organised by the organisation aided, abetted and financed externally had resulted in the loss of innocent lives and deprived the people of Sri Lanka from their basic rights and freedoms. The draft resolution fails to condemn these crimes unequivocally and shies away from a call for accountability of the LTTE and its sponsors and financiers. Unfortunately the draft resolution appress to rekindle the suffering rather than dealing with the wounds of the people of Sri Lanka. Madam President, in view of these reasons Pakistan delegation would call the revolution to abort and vote against it.
9. Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.
10. Sri Lanka (Country Concerned), Mr. C. A. Chandraprema: “ The resolution will polarise Sri Lankan society and adversely affect economic development, peace and harmony. For all the above reasons Sri Lanka rejects this draft resolution and requests that members of this council reject this resolution by a vote.”
11. Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, including President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan at the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.
12. Close of screen showing vote results. Over laid with voice of President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan: “ draft proposal L1 Rev. 1 is therefore adopted.
13. Close of podium with speakers, including President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan at the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The appointment on Thursday of Karla Quintana as head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic is a key development after nearly a year and a half of work by the UN Human Rights Office supporting the institution’s launch.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , UNICEF , UNRWA , WHO
The head of the UN migration agency stressed on Friday that Syria is in no position to take back millions of Syrians following the fall of the Assad regime, while there is an urgent need to “re-evaluate” sanctions impacting the war-ravaged country.
1
1
1
Edited News | IIIM , UNHCR
Syria: ‘Key priority’ is to preserve evidence of crimes – UN investigators
In Syria, new access to evidence of horrific human rights violations means that accountability may be closer than ever – if only proof can be preserved, a top UN investigator said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OSE , ICRC , UNHCR
Syria: UN and partners urge action to preserve evidence of prison atrocities, stabilize country
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria five days ago, hundreds of people have rushed to Saydnaya prison, desperate to find loved ones. Disturbing images from the prison and other detention centers have since surfaced, exposing the “unimaginable barbarity Syrians have endured for years,” said Jenifer Fenton, spokesperson for the UN special envoy for Syria, on Friday.
1
1
2
Edited News | UNRWA
Gaza: “Sickening normalisation” of suffering, amid attacks on people and aid convoys
Ongoing military operations by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza continue to devastate Palestinian children and families, with mounting casualties and a critical lack of humanitarian aid for the desperate population.
“Local media reporting here that last night, 30 people were killed in this area in strikes” said a senior emergency officer with the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), Louise Wateridge, speaking to reporters in Geneva from central Gaza.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | OHCHR
Rights experts call for end to impunity for Israel’s violations of international law
Four independent human rights experts have jointly called for the international community to sanction Israel’s conduct of hostilities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as in the wider Middle East region - including in Syria, Lebanon and Iran. They also called for the restoration of trust in the international justice system through the abandonment of “extreme interpretations” and “double standards” in the application of the universal norms regulating the conduct of war.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNHCR
Syria: needs continue to grow amid highly uncertain situation, say aid teams
The historic power shift in Syria and the still volatile situation two days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime have increased humanitarian needs in a country where nearly 17 million people, including millions of internally displaced, already depended on humanitarian aid before the recent events, UN aid teams said on Tuesday.
2
1
3
Edited News , Press Conferences | OSES
Barely 48 hours since opposition forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept into Damascus and forced out President Bashar al-Assad, the top UN negotiator tasked with helping Syrians’ create a peaceful and democratic future insisted that nothing could be taken for granted.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Monday called on States to do all in their power to end senseless conflicts and suffering.
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
No evacuation order given before Kamal Adwan Hospital strike, says WHO
One of the last partially functional health centres in northern Gaza was reportedly hit again overnight into Friday by several strikes, leaving four health workers among the casualties and the dead, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).
2
1
2
Edited News , Press Conferences | OCHA
More than 280,000 people have been uprooted in northwest Syria in a matter of days following the sudden and massive offensive into Government-controlled areas led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is sanctioned by the Security Council as a terrorist group.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has called on the Georgian authorities to respect and protect the rights to freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly following several nights of protests that were marred by violence, and dispersed using disproportionate, and in some cases unnecessary, force by the police in the capital, Tbilisi.