India abstains from voting as UNHRC adopts resolution against Sri Lanka's human rights record
By Team Newsable | First Published Mar 23, 2021, 5:25 PM ISTThe resolution titled ‘Promotion of Reconciliation Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted by the UNHRC after 22 members out of 47 voted in favour of it. Eleven members, including China, voted against the resolution.
India on Tuesday abstained from a crucial vote on Sri Lanka’s rights record at the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was however adopted after 22 member states of the 47-member Council voted in its favour.
Japan and 12 other countries also did not vote.
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The resolution titled ‘Promotion of Reconciliation Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted by the UNHRC after 22 members out of 47 voted in favour of it. Eleven members, including China, voted against the resolution.
The resolution comes after a scathing report released by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on January 27.
The UN report warns that lack of accountability of Sri Lanka's previous violations has increased the risk of repetition of those crimes.
The resolution had accused Lanka of war crimes with threats to take those responsible to the International Courts and impose targeted sanctions against officials allegedly responsible for human rights violations.
A UN report had called for drastic measures against those allegedly responsible for rights violations during the last phase of the armed conflict with the LTTE (2009).
India said it supports the call by the international community for the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments on the devolution of political authority, including through the early holding of elections for Provincial Councils and to ensure that all Provincial Councils are able to operate effectively, in accordance with the 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution.
“At the same time, we believe that the work of OHCHR should be in conformity with mandate given by the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly,” the Indian representative said, urging the Government of Sri Lanka to “carry forward” the process of reconciliation, “address the aspirations of the Tamil community and continue to engage constructively with the international community to ensure that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens are fully protected.”
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