Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday, 7 October 2025 02:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva yesterday adopted a new resolution titled A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1 – Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka, during its 60th session.
The resolution was adopted without a vote, extending the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) mandate in Sri Lanka for another two years.
The resolution, revised and tabled on 1 October 2025, was co-sponsored by 22 countries. Its main sponsors are the United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, while most of the additional co-sponsors are European nations. Sri Lanka formally rejected the resolution during the Council’s 41st meeting.
The latest resolution was first introduced on 10 September by the “Sri Lanka Core Group,” comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom. The group urged Sri Lanka to take concrete measures to strengthen reconciliation, accountability, and the protection of human rights.
A revised version presented on 1 October by a coalition of 30 countries including Albania, Austria, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
It calls on Sri Lanka to fulfil its pledges to devolve political power in accordance with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. It highlights that genuine devolution is vital for national reconciliation and the protection of human rights for all citizens.
The resolution also urges the Government to hold long-delayed provincial council elections and ensure these bodies, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, function effectively.
It further calls for credible, independent, and timely investigations into alleged human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, with full participation of victims and their representatives.
It emphasises the need to prosecute perpetrators where sufficient evidence exists and stresses the importance of safeguarding civil society actors, human rights defenders, journalists, victims, survivors, and their families, especially women, from intimidation and reprisals.
The resolution calls for the release of lands still under military control and the fair resolution of disputes related to archaeological, religious, and conservation issues.
In addition, the UNHRC has requested the OHCHR to continue monitoring and reporting on Sri Lanka, with a written update due at the Council’s 63rd session and a comprehensive progress report at its 66th session, to be followed by an interactive dialogue.
The resolution also acknowledges the Sri Lankan Government’s pledge to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) but expresses concern that detentions under the Act continue, disproportionately affecting Tamil and Muslim communities.
It calls for an immediate moratorium on the PTA’s use, rapid repeal, and the introduction of new counter-terrorism legislation consistent with international human rights obligations.
The document welcomes the Government’s stated commitment to amend the Online Safety Act but raises concern over its broad provisions and lack of judicial oversight. It encourages swift amendments to ensure that freedom of opinion and expression are protected in line with international standards.
