New UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka adopted

• Along with Pakistan, China, Venezuela, Cuba, Eritrea, Bolivia and Uzbekistan voted against the resolution
• 20 countries voted for the resolution easily outnumbering Sri Lanka

By Kelum Bandara   

The latest UNHRC resolution 51/1 on Sri Lanka was adopted yesterday with 20 countries voting for it, seven countries voting against and 20 countries abstaining.  

The content of the new resolution is largely based on the previous 46/1 resolution. However, the current one calls for further strengthening of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to implement the evidence gathering mechanism on human rights and accountability issues in Sri Lanka. It also seeks to examine the impact of the economic crisis on human rights in Sri Lanka.  

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry who spoke ahead of the vote said Sri Lanka categorically rejected the resolution, particularly the paragraph on evidence gathering. He asked the member states to vote out the resolution since it is against the founding principles of the UN.   As usual Pakistan spoke in support of the remarks by Mr. Sabry and called the resolution intrusive.   Along with Pakistan, China, Venezuela, Cuba , Eritrea, Bolivia and Uzbekistan voted against the resolution.   However, 20 countries voted for the resolution easily outnumbering Sri Lanka.   India, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Japan are among the countries that abstained.