Speaking at the interactive dialogue session today at the UN Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Iran, Sri Lanka's representative, Dilini Gunasekara reiterated that promotion of human rights "must have the consent of the country".
Welcoming Iran's cooperation with the UNHRC human rights mechanisms, the Sri Lankan envoy said,
"In this regard we reiterate our consistent position that action initiated in the promotions and protection of human rights of a country, must have the consent of the country, and be based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue aimed at strengthening the domestic capacity of the country to comply with its human rights obligations, as stipulated in GA resolution 60/251 and the IB package."
She also stressed that the 'socio-political and historical' contexts of each country must be considered when deciding on further action.
In a curious contradiction to Sri Lanka's own response to its review at the Universal Periodic Review process last year where it rejected an unprecedented number of recommendations, Ms Gunasekara reiterated that the UPR mechanism was the appropriate forum to address human rights concerns of all countries.
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