UN Core Group on Sri Lanka to submit resolution

The Core Group on Sri Lanka has confirmed it will be submitting a Resolution on Sri Lanka at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.

The British Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UK in Geneva, Julian Braithwaite, informed the UNHRC yesterday (Monday) of the decision to submit the Resolution.

The confirmation was made as the UNHRC met to discuss its plans for the 46th Session of the UNHRC which will be held from 22 February 2021 to 23 March 2021.

The Core Group on Sri Lanka consists of Canada, Germany, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom.  

Braithwaite said that a Resolution will be submitted to the Council on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.

The Resolution is a follow-up to one already co-sponsored by the former government, from which the current administration withdrew last year.

Braithwaite said the Resolution will be based on the recent damning report on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet.

Bachelet  made public a damning report on Sri Lanka and has proposed targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans against credibly alleged perpetrators of grave human rights violations and abuses.

The UN report warns that the failure of Sri Lanka to address past human rights violations has significantly heightened the risk of such violations being repeated. It highlights worrying trends over the past year, such as deepening impunity, and increased militarisation of governmental functions, ethno-nationalist rhetoric, and intimidation of civil society.