Sri Lanka claimed to have “overwhelming support” at the United Nations Human Rights Council today, despite wide-ranging condemnation and concern from a host of member states and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In a statement released by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier today, it claimed to have “received overwhelming support from countries of the Global South who expressed support for the Government’s significant efforts towards reconciliation”.
The statement went on to claim that of the 45 countries that spoke at the global body on Sri Lanka over the last week, “31 spoke in support”.
Whilst many states expressed concern about the situation in Sri Lanka, Colombo did however have some familiar defenders at the global body – including Russia and Belarus. Both states are currently under international scrutiny and widespread sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine.
Other states that spoke in support of Sri Lanka include Syria, North Korea and Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, members including the USA and India spoke not just on the human rights situation on the island, but also the need to engage Tamils on the island for “an inclusive lasting political solution" and “to address the legitimate aspirations of the Tamil community" respectively.
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