US to sponsor UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka

US officials have confirmed that it will move a new resolution on Sri Lanka at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council.

"The US has decided to sponsor a procedural resolution at the March 2013 sessions of the UNHRC," James R Moore, the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, told reporters in Colombo.

Moore said that Sri Lanka had made “some progress”, but more needed doing on human rights accountability and reconciliation.

"The US and the other 23 members of the UNHRC who voted for that resolution in 2012 believe that the government of Sri Lanka needs to fulfil its commitments made to its own people," Moore added.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Vikram Singh said that the US wanted to keep Sri Lanka on the agenda in Geneva with the resolution against Colombo.

He added that the recent impeachment of the chief justice also contributed to the move.

"It is safe to say that the impeachment of the Chief Justice also contributed to the decision to ensure that the record (against Sri Lanka) stays fresh in Geneva," Singh said.

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