Geneva, 12 September 2022 (TDI): During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council, Finland addressed the human rights situation in Sri Lanka on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, on 12 September 2022.
#HRC51 FI 🇫🇮addressed the human rights situation in Sri Lanka on behalf of the Nordic-Baltics🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇮🇸🇸🇪🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮Inclusiveness and freedom of expression should be ensured while undertaking reforms. We support establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission https://t.co/E37tXqHKo9 pic.twitter.com/tAyhzN9bs1
— FinlandGeneva 🇫🇮 🇺🇳 #FIinHRC (@FinlandGeneva) September 12, 2022
Statement by Finland’s Ambassador
Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Permanent Representative of Finland to UN, on the behalf of Nordic-Baltics countries, stated:
“Thank you, Mr. President, I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country, Finland.
We thank the Deputy High Commissioner for this update. We acknowledge the difficult circumstances Sri Lanka finds itself in. However, such circumstances should also be viewed as an opportunity to undertake much-needed reforms, ensuring inclusiveness.
We are concerned by the lack of progress in the areas of transitional justice, accountability, and reconciliation, and encourage the new government to demonstrate progress.
Establishing a Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be a welcome start to an inclusive process, where impunity for past violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law are addressed.
We are deeply dismayed at the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act against student activists despite an alleged moratorium. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to repeal the PTA, and in the interim, stop its use.
We urge Sri Lankan authorities to protect the freedom of expression and assembly for all, including persons belonging to minorities, and to stop arbitrary arrests of persons engaging in peaceful protests.
We support the recommendations of the OHCHR report and call upon Sri Lanka to cooperate fully with the Office in line with resolution 46/1 and any new resolution. Thank you. ”
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United Nations Human Rights Council
The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly on 15 March 2006 by resolution 60/251.
Within the framework of the United Nations, the Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body responsible for promoting the protection and defense of human rights all over the world.
Furthermore, it can discuss all kinds of thematic human rights issues and situations in the world. The 47 UN Member States that make up the Council are chosen by the UN General Assembly. The representatives of member states hold meetings at the UN Office in Geneva.
