Sri Lanka may escape serious censure

• First text of draft Resolution circulated
• OHCHR urged to enhance monitoring
• Technical assistance proposed
• Concerns over forced cremations noted

By Easwaran Rutnam   

Sri Lanka is expected to get more time to address human rights related issues when a new Resolution is presented to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.   

The UNHRC will begin meeting today for its 46th Session with Sri Lanka on the formal agenda.   
Focus will be on a new Resolution to be presented to the Council by the Core Group on Sri Lanka, consisting of Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the UK.   
The first draft of the Resolution seen by Daily Mirror, calls on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.   
The Resolution seeks a written update on Sri Lanka to be presented to the Human Rights Council at its forty-ninth session, and a comprehensive report including further options for advancing accountability at its fifty-first session.   
The draft text encourages the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and relevant Special Procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing proposed steps to advance human rights.   

The first draft also notes concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on freedom of religion or belief and exacerbated the prevailing marginalisation and discrimination suffered by the Muslim community in Sri Lanka.