Addressing the UNHRC on its second day, the US Under Secretary of State for civilian security, democracy and human rights, Sarah Seawall, reiterated the need for an investigation into past abuses and recent attacks, detailing the rationale for the draft resolution tabled yesterday.
"In past years we have learned that rigorous and systematic fact finding can play a critical role in helping countries heal wounds remaining from periods of conflict. Without such a process, grievances go unaddressed and impunity is allowed to triumph, creating a climate in which new abuses can occur."
"In 2012, and against last year, this council urged the government of Sri Lanka to launch an independent investigation into the deaths of thousands of civilians during that country’s terrible civil war. To date, the government has refused. Accordingly, the United States has introduced a resolution this year calling upon the Office of the High Commissioner to conduct an investigation into past abuses and to examine more recent attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and religious minorities."