Draft resolution on Sri Lanka submitted to the UNHRC by the US
[07.03.2012, 08:33pm, Wed. GMT]
The United States has submitted the draft of the resolution to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Wednesday, state reports reaching NORWAY NEWS. Norway has joined other nations in calling for an investigation into civilian deaths in the country’s long and bloody civil war. The UN resolution wants answers to questions about, among other things, what happened to the thousands killed in the last months of the war.
The draft resolution submitted to the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva states that the report of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) does not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law during the war in Sri Lanka.
It also calls on the Sri Lankan government to implement the LLRC recommendations and take all necessary steps to fulfill its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equality, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans.
It also requests the government to present a comprehensive action plan as soon as possible, outlining the steps it has taken and will take to implement the LLRC recommendations and also to address the violations of international law.
The draft US resolution on Sri Lanka submitted Wednesday also urges the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to provide necessary advice and technical assistance on implementing these steps, the government of Sri Lanka to accept and also the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to present a report to the UNHRC on the provision of such assistance at its 22nd session.
Draft Resolution: Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka (3/6/12)
Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, and other relevant instruments,
Reaffirming that States must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, as applicable,
Noting the Report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and its findings and recommendations, and acknowledging its possible contribution to Sri Lanka’s national reconciliation process,
Welcoming the constructive recommendations contained in the LLRC report, including the need to credibly investigate widespread allegations of extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances, demilitarize the north of Sri Lanka, implement impartial land dispute resolution mechanisms, reevaluate detention policies, strengthen formerly independent civil institutions, reach a political settlement involving devolution of power to the provinces, promote and protect the right of freedom of expression for all, and enact rule of law reforms,
Noting with concern that the LLRC report does not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law,
1. Calls on the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations in the LLRC report and take all necessary additional steps to fulfill its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans,
2. Requests that the Government of Sri Lanka present a comprehensive action plan as expeditiously as possible detailing the steps the Government has taken and will take to implement the LLRC recommendations and also to address alleged violations of international law,
3. Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant special procedures to provide, and the Government of Sri Lanka to accept, advice and technical assistance on implementing those steps and requests the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to present a report to the Council on the provision of such assistance at its twenty-second session.
Akershus
