Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marc Garneau, welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on promoting accountability in Sri Lanka and noted in a statement that it's mandate will be "critical for future accountability processes."
Canada welcomes the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.
Full Statement: pic.twitter.com/yez9zRQhzY
— Marc Garneau (@MarcGarneau) March 23, 2021
The resolution will mandate the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to "collect" as well as "consolidate, analyse and preserve” evidence that could be used in future war crimes trials.
Canada, a member of the Core Group on Sri Lanka, said "the continued reporting and the attention of the UNHRC will assist in monitoring ongoing human rights concerns in the country."
"Canada will continue to urge Sri Lanka. to uphold its human rights obligations, end impunity and undertake a comprehensibve accountability process for all violations and abuses of human rights," the statement read.
UNHRC 46/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and #HumanRights in #SriLanka was passed today in the council.
Please see my full statement below: pic.twitter.com/MpkmJcmVK6
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) March 23, 2021
Canadian MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park, Gary Anandasangaree, said the resolutions "is recognition of Sri Lanka's failure to advance accountability."
"Those who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, cannot, and will not evade justice. The resolution today takes us one step closer," he added.
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