Sri Lanka reiterated its rejection of the UN Human Rights Council's inquiry to mass atrocities on the island at the opening day of the Council's 27th session.

"Sri Lanka reiterates our objection to the resolution HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1 and its call for a comprehensive investigation by the OHCHR," Sri Lanka's permanent representative in Geneva, Ravinath Ariyasinghe told member states.

Arguing that the country had made its own domestic moves towards accountability and reconciliation, Ariyasinghe slammed "some" states that he said "refused to acknowledge these [developments] and persist in heaping negative attention [on Sri Lanka]".

"Sri Lanka rejects assertions of threats leveled against the human rights community, and regrets attempts being made to portray the country as intolerant of religious minorities," he added.

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See related article: UN Rights Council mandates 'comprehensive investigation' by OHCHR into Sri Lanka (27 Mar 2014)

Photograph Tamil Guardian

  Zeid alarmed at intimidation of rights activists

Opening the session earlier in the day, the newly appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, urged the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the OHCHR Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL), expressing concern at the intimidation of human rights activists.

"I attach great importance to the investigation on Sri Lanka mandated by this Council, on which OHCHR will report later in the session. I encourage the Sri Lankan authorities to cooperate with this process in the interests of justice and reconciliation,"

“I am alarmed at threats currently being levelled against the human rights community in Sri Lanka, as well as prospective victims and witnesses. I also deplore recent incitement and violence against the country’s Muslim and Christian minorities.” 

US, UK urges Sri Lanka to cooperate with inquiry

Reiterating the call for meaningful accountability for mass atrocities in Sri Lanka, US and UK representatives echoes Zeid's call on the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the UN inquiry.

"We support your call for the government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with the international investigation and we urge the Sri Lankan government to facilitate access and ensure those cooperating with the investigation can do so without fear of intimidation or reprisals," said the UK.

Thanking the previous UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, "for the leadership she demonstrated in focusing the world's attention on violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and encouraging meaningful accountability and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka," the US ambassador to Geneva also urged the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the investigation.

Rajapaksa invites High Commissioner to Sri Lanka

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa invited the new UN High Commisioner for Human Rights to visit Sri Lanka by the end of this year. The announcement was made during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the island, during which a joint statement by the two leaders was released.

See our earlier post: Japan signs trade agreements with Sri Lanka, calls for 'national reconciliation' (07 September 2014)

Full statement by Sri Lanka at the Council's General Debate today:

Sri Lanka reiterates our objection to the resolution HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1 and its call for a comprehensive investigation by the OHCHR.

We will be addressing this issue comprehensively during the High Commissioner's oral update. Not withstanding this rejection, as detailed in the statement to be circulated, Sri Lanka continues its own domestic process of reconciliation, using as a basis the LLRC action plan.

Since then the HRC last met in June, a special bureau for reconciliation is being set up, the mandate on the COI for missing persons has been enhanced to inquire into additional matters, and the appointment of a five member advisory council which includes internationally recognised lawyers.

The bill on assistance to and protection of victims of crime and witnesses is due to be presented in Parliament tomorrow. And the joint needs assessment on resettled IDPs supported by OHR is nearing completion. The final report is expected by October 2014.

We are deeply appreciative of all our longstanding friends in this Council who have kept their faith in our ability to achieve national reconciliation on our own.
We are also currently engaged in high-level bilateral dialogue aimed at sharing experiences with several countries.

Despite these developments, some, refused to acknowledge these, and persist in heaping negative attention. Sri Lanka rejects assertions of threats leveled against the human rights community, and regrets attempts being made to portray the country as intolerant of religious minorities.

In conclusion I wish to reiterate Sri Lanka's full commitment to continue its domestic processes of accountability, justice, reconciliation and nation building, and will continue to work with our international partners.