SL concerned over inclusion of economic crisis in UNHRC resolution

• The resolution is co-sponsored by 37 countries. SL finds it difficult to overcome it due to lack of support among member states
• “It is difficult to compete with powerful nations in the UNHRC. However, whatever the vote result, Sri Lanka will stand firm against the new UNHRC resolution”

By Kelum Bandara   

Sri Lanka remains concerned over the references of economic crisis and corruption in the latest UNHRC resolution and is calling for action against those responsible .   

 The draft resolution calls for the government to address what it says ‘the ongoing economic crisis, including investigating and, where warranted, prosecuting corruption, where committed by public and former public officials, and stands ready to assist and support independent, impartial and transparent efforts in this regard‘,   

Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry told Daily Mirror that the economic crisis is not a matter to be discussed in the UNHRC. He said the government had already initiated action with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) to address it . “It is not a matter to be discussed in the UNHRC forum ,” he said . Meanwhile , the original draft of the reduction has been reworded slightly ahead of the vote on it either today or tomorrow.   

Instead of saying applicable punishments for alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka , the amended version asks for accountability on them.   
The resolution is co-sponsored by 37 countries . Sri Lanka finds it difficult to overcome it because it lacks support among the member states to vote it out.   

Domestic truth seeking mechanism to be set up

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said in Geneva that a domestic truth seeking mechanism would be set up to ensure justice and reconciliation. 

Addressing a press conference via Zoom , he said Sri Lanka would engage with the Tamil Diaspora groups that shun violence and separatism.   

Asserting that the Prevention of Terrorism Act would be repealed, he said a new counter terrorism law would be introduced to deal with terrorism while protecting the sovereignty of the country.   

The final draft of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka has been presented by the core group on Sri Lanka in Geneva.   

The resolution is sponsored by the core group which is led by the USA, the UK, Canada, and Germany, along with 30 other countries.  “It is difficult to compete with powerful nations in the UNHRC. However, whatever the vote result, Sri Lanka will stand firm against the new UNHRC resolution,” he said.