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Sri Lanka Campaign calls on UNHRC to pass robust follow-up resolution in March

Following a recent evaluation by the Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice – indicating that the Sri Lankan government has largely failed to implement Resolution 30/1, the organisation called on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) pass a robust follow-up resolution.

UNHRC Resolution 30/1 called for the implementation of a credible process towards accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

“A breakdown of the resolution text into 25 specific commitments reveals that the government of Sri Lanka has lived up to its word on a mere three of its pledges. Seventeen remain largely or wholly unimplemented, with a further five only partially achieved,” stated Sri Lanka Campaign’s press release.

“These findings ought to be a wake-up call both to the government of Sri Lanka and international community. The window of opportunity for dealing with the past will not remain open indefinitely and in the context of persistent human rights violations, surveillance and militarisation in war affected areas, each day that passes sees that window close ever further. The government must grasp the nettle with both hands and take the bold steps necessary to avert yet another cycle of conflict,” stated Campaign Director, Richard Gowing.

The Sri Lanka Campaign calls on members of the UNHRC to pass a follow-up resolution on March 22nd which:

  1. Renews, without any dilution, the terms of Resolution 30/1, with a request to the government of Sri Lanka to produce a clear timetable for implementation of the outstanding commitments

  2. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to monitor the implementation of the resolution (including further reporting to the Council on its progress at agreed intervals)

  3. Welcomes the recommendations of the final report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms

  4. Acknowledges the prevailing ground situation in the North and East (including persistent patterns of serious human rights violations, militarisation, surveillance and intimidation) and the barrier that it poses to lasting reconciliation

  5. Cautions against an approach to transitional justice which defers accountability for serious crimes

See more from Sri Lanka Campaign here.

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