Resolutions to resolve

Sri Lanka embarks on its toughest international challenge this week when it faces the report detailing investigations carried out by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and fights for an internationally credible domestic panel in Geneva.  

A copy of the report, which has already been provided to the Government of Sri Lanka, is being kept a close secret until it is formally placed on the UNHRC’s official website next week. However, media reports have indicated the probe team has made strong indictments against both the troops and the guerrillas over purported war crimes.

Though no politicians or those who were in combat have been named, identification of those involved was not difficult since reference was being made in the findings to the chain of command with the identification of areas where violations occurred.

According to some reports, the previous Government has also been strongly indicted for what they call systematically denying or depriving food and medicine to civilians in war-affected areas. It has taken note of reports by the Government Agent for Wanni that some 350,000 civilians were affected by this move, according to some reports.

After years of vehemently denying charges and fighting against an international inquiry, Sri Lanka’s new president Maithripala Sirisena has pledged to establish a globally acceptable domestic panel to conduct investigations. It is expected to use the findings of the UNHRC report while also setting up a permanent office to probe thousands of cases of people who went missing during the war.

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission, roughly styled on the South African mechanism, along with pledges to bring to trial major cases of rights abuses, are expected to feature prominently in the Government’s response to the report, which will be delivered in a speech by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera to UNHRC members on Monday. He has also sought a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein ahead of his address.

The Government also appears to be employing a three-pronged strategy. Samaraweera will double back after his speech to accompany Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi where India’s support at the UNHRC will likely be touched upon. Colombo is trying hard to present its best face to its powerful neighbour by freeing all Indian fishermen ahead of the visit and becoming a signatory to a SAARC satellite - a Modi-pet project. Parallel to the UNHRC sessions in Geneva, the UN headquarters in New York will see the unrolling of the UN General Assembly.

Earlier this year President Sirisena, in response to a call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had expressed intentions of visiting New York where he is likely to hold high level discussions with the heads of UNHRC member countries. More diplomacy is expected to take place in New York to balance any challenges Sri Lanka may face in Geneva.      

Colombo’s quest for a domestic inquiry received a boost last month when US officials agreed to present a fresh resolution supporting a Government-led domestic mechanism. The collaborative move presents a major shift by Washington on the South Asian island nation. The contents of the resolution have not been released for public consumption but the assumption is it will be unanimously adopted in Geneva.

After years the Sri Lankan Government has clout to distinguish itself in Geneva but the result must still bring justice and reconciliation closer to all citizens.