Final US resolution tabled in Geneva

by Dharisha Bastians

Signalling that negotiations on the second US backed resolution against Sri Lanka submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva had gone in Colombo’s favour, the final draft tabled last evening acknowledges the country’s progress in some areas of reconciliation and no longer notes a call for an international inquiry on war crimes allegations by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay.

The final draft of the US resolution on Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka tabled at the Council at 6 p.m. Geneva time yesterday, has 33 co-sponsors.

The final draft welcomes the announcement of Northern Provincial Council polls in September 2013 and acknowledges Sri Lanka’s progress in rebuilding infrastructure, resettlement of IDPs and demining but notes that much work lies ahead. The final draft of the US resolution on Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka tabled at the Council at 6 p.m. Geneva time yesterday, has 32 co-sponsors, including the United States.

Austria, Canada, Croatia, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Irelandhave co-sponsored the resolution.