Sri Lanka rejects UN Human Rights Council’s Resolution

Geneva, 8 October 2022 (TDI): Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Rejected the resolution entitled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” at the UN Human Rights Council.

The resolution was scheduled by the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United States.

Comments of Ali Sabry

Ali Sabry, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka represented the platform. He shared an expression of regret in drafting this resolution. He stated that his state was highly concerned about the resolution and has already called on the Members to its rejection by voting.

The Sri Lankan Minister briefed that his country has made domestic progress toward the process of reconciliation and human rights protection. The country also sustained productive engagement with the Council. Additionally, it has taken various measures to replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) along with inclusive national security legislation.

The Minister expressed that Sri Lanka has planned to introduce Constitutional amendments and formulate the legal framework order. The initiatives will expectedly lead to strengthening democratic patterns. Good governance, effective participation, institutionalism, and the rule of law will also be ensured.

He emphasized that the manifestation of resolution is unhelpful to his country.

Also, read: Sri Lanka Economic Crisis Worsens

The Minister sturdily raised his voice against the resolution. He particularly opposed the proposal in Operative Paragraph (OP) 8. The mentioned paragraph pursued the extension and reinforcement of an “external evidence-gathering mechanism”. He continued that the influence of external mechanisms isn’t an acceptable option for any sovereign state.

Ali Sabry further objected that mandate or expertise of the Council doesn’t help it to deal with the economic or financial crises of any member state.

Response of other states

The Human Rights Council is consisting of forty-seven Member states, including the region of Africa, Asia- Pacific, Latin America, Western Europe, and the Eastern European States. On the call for a vote, twenty countries voted in the favor of the resolution, while twenty withdrew and seven voted against the resolution.

The representatives of the delegation of Pakistan, Brazil, China, Venezuela, Japan, and the Republic of Korea made supportive proclamations for Sri Lanka prior to the vote.
The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka expressed his gratitude to the countries which demonstrated support for Sri Lanka.