Sri Lanka reiterates need for country’s consent for international action to protect human rights
Wednesday, 19 March 2014 00:45
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Sri Lanka has reiterated that international action for the promotion and protection of human rights must enjoy the consent of the country concerned.
Speaking at the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Sri Lankan delegation representative Dilini Gunasekera said that positive developments in the country as well as cooperation by the country of concern must be acknowledged.
The representative noted that the international community has acknowledged the democratic nature in the conduct of Iran’s presidential elections held on 14 June last year and Iran’s cooperation with the human rights mechanisms of the UNHRC. Further, Iran’s invitation to the High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit that country was also noted. “It is our considered view that such positive developments as well as cooperation by the country concerned must be acknowledged,” the envoy said. “In this regard we reiterate our consistent position that action initiated in the promotions and protection of human rights of a country, must have the consent of the country, and be based on the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue aimed at strengthening the domestic capacity of the country to comply with its human rights obligations, as stipulated in GA resolution 60/251 and the IB package.” The envoy further noted that such action should also take into account the socio-political and historical particularities of each country.
Sri Lanka further underscored that the Universal Periodic Review mechanism is the appropriate forum to address the human rights situations of all countries in a constructive and equal spirit of engagement.
