Welcoming the UN Human Rights council's decision to mandate an OHCHR investigation into Sri Lanka, Amnesty International India, in statement issued last night, said India's decision to abstain had left it on the sidelines whilst the resolution brought new hope of justice to the victims.

The statement read,

'Despite two prior resolutions by the Council in 2012 and 2013, Sri Lanka has failed to take effective steps to deliver justice for the victims of its civil war, which ended in 2009. Instead, it has launched an aggressive campaign against those who advocate for accountability and an end to impunity for human rights violations throughout the country.'

Calling on the Sri Lankan government to end the nationwide crackdown on dissent and cooperate with UN investigators, Shashikumar Velath, Programmes Director at Amnesty International India, said,

“This resolution is important for those human rights defenders who have risked their lives and freedom to seek the truth and end the ongoing cycle of human rights violations in Sri Lanka. It is equally important for victims and families who have waited many years for justice, and it is a pity that India has chosen in effect to stand by the government of Sri Lanka rather than its people.”

Commenting further on India's stand, Mr. Velath said,

“The UN inquiry brings new hope for the thousands of victims of abuses in Sri Lanka. But India, by sitting on the fence, has passed up the chance to support the cause of justice in Sri Lanka. The Government of India has ignored the voice of 2.5 million Indians who have stood in solidarity with people across the world calling for an international investigation of Sri Lanka's war crimes ,”

"India was one of 12 countries that abstained from a vote to task the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to investigate allegations of abuses and crimes committed by all sides of the brutal conflict that saw tens of thousands killed and wounded. In a statement, the Indian government said the resolution “has the potential to hinder the efforts of the country rather than contribute constructively to its efforts.”

“As an emerging global player, India has a responsibility to speak out for human rights in its neighborhood and beyond. And its abstaining on today's vote has set back the progress it had made in seeking accountability in Sri Lanka.”

See related articles, on reactions to India's decision to abstain:

Sri Lanka says US ‘bullied’ states to support UNHRC resolution, hails India’s abstention (28 Mar 2014)

Tamils disappointed by India at UN – TNA’s Suresh Premachandran (27 Mar 2014)

‘International investigation despite repeated betrayal of India’ – Save Tamils Movement (27 Mar 2014)

India labels resolution intrusive, calls for national mechanism (27 Mar 2014)

India to abstain from UNHRC resolution vote (27 Mar 2014)

Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.