HRC’s sitting on Sri Lanka fixed on Sept 30

A report on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka during the Eelam War is likely to be presented on September 30 during the 30th session of the United Human Rights Council.

As per the present time table, the subject on Sri Lanka will come up during the third and final week of the Council’s session, which starts on September 14 and concludes on October 2. The sitting on Sri Lanka is expected to go on for three hours on September 30.

Prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL), the report is a sequel to the adoption of a resolution adopted by the UNHRC in March 2014, requesting the Commissioner to “undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) [which is February 21, 2002 to May 19, 2009].” The period signifies two events - the commencement of a ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and the conclusion of the Eelam War.

The 2014 resolution also called upon the Commissioner to “establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures mandate holders”.

A few weeks ago, United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal, during her visit to Colombo, said her country would collaborate with Sri Lanka and others in drafting a resolution “that reflects the way forward.” (The Hindu)