UNHRC Damning report on Sri Lanka to be tabled

21 January 2021 08:10 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is expected to table a damning report on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next month, Daily Mirror learns.

UN sources told Daily Mirror an advanced copy of the report is expected to be published well ahead of the Geneva session to ensure it makes an impact. Sources also said that a copy of the report has been sent to the Sri Lankan Government for its right of reply before it is made public.

When contacted by Daily Mirror, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya confirmed that Sri Lanka had received a copy of the report.

However, Balasuriya said that as of yesterday (Wednesday) Sri Lanka was yet to submit its response to the report. Sri Lanka is on the agenda of the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council set to take place between February 22 and March 19, 2021. During the session, Bachelet will submit a comprehensive report on Sri Lanka on the implementation of Council Resolution 30/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. Bachelet is expected to raise criticism over the failure of the Government (both current and former) to ensure its commitments to the Council were met on the human rights issue.

The current Government has already withdrawn from Resolution 30/1 and the subsequent Resolution 40/1, which were cosponsored by the UNP Government. The Government was given time from 2015 to March this year through the two Resolutions, to show progress on the human rights issue. However, the international community and human rights groups have accused the Government of failing to meet its commitments.

In September last year Bachelet had said she was troubled that the new Government was swiftly reneging on its commitments to the Human Rights Council since it withdrew its support for resolution 30/1. She had encouraged the Council to give renewed attention to Sri Lanka, in view of the need to prevent threats to peace, reconciliation and sustainable development. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 21

Sangaralingham Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:18 AM

There is lot of rumours men in uniform intimidating citizens in minority areas. President as commander in chief must pay attention to these rumours.

E Fernando Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:41 AM

What hypocrisy. The US has committed more human rights violations world wide than SL did in 30 years. The UN is just a bully tactic for them

Jeeves Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:41 AM

Geneva, Switzerland? The same country that admitted controversial adoptions of Sri Lankan children? Is that to be tabled too?

Nomads Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:44 AM

What goes around comes around . Looks like there is lot to explain than escape.waiting for the grand moment.

Gayan Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:49 AM

Is there any other sort of report previously?

Lasith Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:49 AM

Here we go AGAIN! Interested to know what Bachelet ( French name?) thought of French disrespecting Prophet Mohammad, and justifying that by " freedom of speech"! Is that peaceful or reconciliatory with their Muslim community?

SarangaDS Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:55 AM

The UN HR council should have plenty to say about Israel and treatment of Palestinians, and building illegal settlements on their lands! But do they? HYPOCRISY!

REX Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:57 AM

Does Bechelet mention the antics of TNA, and how they are trying to separate our country? Is that reconcilliation or continuing division?

ChanakaJ Thursday, 21 January 2021 11:59 AM

Time to turn a deaf ear to UN and Bachelet! Empty vessels make the loudest noise!

Gert Jan, the Netherlands Thursday, 21 January 2021 12:01 PM

This is what the majority voted for. It is time my country leaves the UNHRC. Nothing will change anyway in countries like Sri Lanka. I bet most people never heard or even care about the rejection of resolution 30/1.

Sokrates Thursday, 21 January 2021 12:36 PM

Only harsh economic sanctions can help the government to obey the honest agreement. The easiest way would be to surrender the war criminals to The Hague.

German Thursday, 21 January 2021 02:03 PM

Jeeves, yes, controversial adoptions approved by Sri Lankan athorities

Roshan samarathunga Thursday, 21 January 2021 02:19 PM

What human rights we don’t believe in that we here to serve the family not the country. We are part of the family not part of the country

Karen Whyte Thursday, 21 January 2021 02:40 PM

Why doesn't the UN sanction China for their treatment of Hong Kong protestors and the government's disregard for the 50 year self determination rule they agreed to with Britain for Hong Kong before it was ceded back to China. Also how about the treatment of Uyghur muslims by the Chinese authorities. What about China's handling of the Covid pandemic and all the lies and cover-ups? Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone, stop picking on Sri Lanka.

Thavamani Thursday, 21 January 2021 08:02 PM

What about human rights issue in Jammu and Kashmir, Indiaor the uighur issue in China?

Lesley Rothchild Friday, 22 January 2021 01:33 AM

Reply To: REX - Does Bechelet mention the antics of TNA, and how they are trying to separate our country? Is that reconcilliation or continuing division? Separate your country from what? I don’t understand - your country is an island, that is, the country is separate from other land by the sea, isn’t it? Probably you meant the TNA (Indians?) trying to attach your country with India, is that co

Jamis Friday, 22 January 2021 04:03 AM

The UNHCR actions are merely a tool used by the 'Western Whites' to get at independent minded nations. These people do not care about minority rights. These are the same people who committed genocide around the world for centuries, now trying to behave like saints. Pathetic. I look forward to the day when Asian powers like China have a stronger say in the world.

Jamis Friday, 22 January 2021 04:09 AM

The so called Human Rights of the Western countries need to be exposed for what they truly are. This is an ideal time for that. The world has seen how the so called civilized nations handled the pandemic. The elderly and the sick were allowed to die in their own filth. The seniors homes were neglected. Some died of starvation, others of dehydration. All lay in their own filth and were found weeks later. Governments looked the other way because it was 'too expensive' to take care of them. Even now, they are allowing the weak to die because it helps reduce the health care costs. That is genocide as far as I am concerned. These governments of the West are led by the filthiest hypocrites on the planet. I hope the SL government will have the guts to face this challenge, and also the wisdom to play its cards right.

Gert Jan, the Netherlands Friday, 22 January 2021 01:13 PM

Jamis, you are partly right. But there are differences between Western countries too. And Europe is not USA. The UNHRC is also addressing other countries, even mine because of the Dutch bad treating of refugees. But the UNHRC is powerless. By the way, not all Western citizens are white.

V Kulam Friday, 22 January 2021 07:14 PM

State sponsored human rights violations Sinhala-Buddhist Colonisation Across the Tamil homeland in the North-East, there have been sustained efforts by the Sri Lankan state to colonise alter archaeological and demographic makeup of traditional Tamil areas. Following a presidential gazette, the formation of an all Sinhala task for archaeology in the east has allowed for the department to confiscated Tamil land and in turn, build new Buddhist shrines. Alongside the intense military presence in the North-East, it is common for the military who have established camps on confiscated Tamil land to build large Buddhist Shrines within them or in the near vicinity. This practice has been intensifying alongside state support also being given to Buddhist religious practices in the North-East whilst Hindu, Christian and Muslim practices are limited or observed under heavy surveillance.

Kulanthai Siva Friday, 22 January 2021 07:40 PM

Genocide is the destruction of the cultural elements of a national race in Tamil north and east by Sinhala state.

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UNHRC Damning report on Sri Lanka to be tabled

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