Speaking at today’s general debate on the UN High Commissioner’s report on Sri Lanka, members of the Human Rights Council drew on their own histories to argue for the need of accountability in order to achieve long-term reconciliation and sustainable peace and stability on the island.
See extracts of oral statements made earlier today below:
Sierra Leone
“[…] from the various accounts that have been brought to our attention, it is clear that the much-needed reconciliation, that would ensure sustainable peace and stability, is not yet in sight.”
“Our experience in Sierra Leone demonstrates how sustainable peace can be achieved through addressing accountability and reconciliation. […] Sierra Leone has not shied away from reconciliation and peace-building efforts as we believed it was essential to the country’s ability to rebuild itself from the ashes of destruction. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Sierra Leone has enabled the country to put in place mechanisms which called for accountability, but also helped developed strategies for dialogue, national reconciliation and economic development. Indeed, Sierra Leone provides a prime example of how the mechanisms put in place succeeded in ensuring accountability for despicable crimes committed during the country’s 11-yeal civil war and contribute towards establishing peace and stability through reconciliation in the country.”
“We believe that in the absence of a credible domestic investigation and of a demonstration of the political will by the Sri Lankan government to conduct one, the logical course of action would be the setting up of an independent international investigation that would contribute to the accountability process for any violations of international law by both sides of the conflict, and support long term reconciliation in the country.”
Ireland
“Madame High Commissioner, in your report you draw the conclusion that the failure of national mechanisms to establish truth and justice is fundamentally a question of political will and you express the view that an independent, international inquiry would play a positive role in eliciting new information and establishing truth where domestic inquiry mechanisms have failed. Ireland supports your view on this. As we have seen in other conflict situations around the world, including in my own country, reconciliation can only come about where there is respect for equality and human rights. True reconciliation must be based on mutual trust and partnership, on an ability to step in the shoes of the other and to view things from others' perspective.”
Austria
“We recognise, also from our own historical experience, that eliminating the scars of a long and bloody conflict is a process that needs time. At the same time, lasting stability and sustainable reconciliation, including with the religious and ethnic minorities, can only be achieved if serious human rights violations allegedly committed by the LTTE and government forces are addressed and any perpetrators brought to justice."