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>>PAULA SCHRIEFER: Thank you, Mr. President. On behalf of the core group sponsors Mauritius,
Macedonia, Montenegro, and the United Kingdom, the United States is pleased to introduce
for adoption Resolution L.1/rev.1 on "Promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human
rights in Sri Lanka." This resolution has 41 co-sponsors. We thank
all delegations for their constructive participation in the negotiations to produce this balanced
text. As has been clearly demonstrated in the High
Commissioner's reporting over the last two years, the human rights situation in Sri Lanka
continues to deteriorate, despite some areas of limited progress. The resolution highlights
this Council's growing concern over persistent *** and gender-based violence; enforced
disappearances; extrajudicial killings; torture; violations of the rights to freedom of expression,
association and peaceful assembly; threats to judicial independence and the rule of law;
as well as intimidation of and reprisals against human rights defenders, members of civil society,
lawyers and journalists. It also expresses alarm over increasing attacks against members
of religious minority groups, including Muslims, Christians, and Hindus.
At the same time, the international community has become increasingly concerned by the continued
lack of progress in achieving reconciliation, justice, and accountability for serious allegations
of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
In her latest report, the High Commissioner called for an international inquiry mechanism
to address these issues in the absence of a credible national process with tangible
results. In response to that call, and in order to promote justice, reconciliation,
and accountability in Sri Lanka, this resolution requests that the Office of the High Commissioner
undertake, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures, 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 report of the Government's own Lesson
Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). It also requests OHCHR to continue to monitor,
assess, and report on the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka, including any relevant
national processes. This Council has urged the Government of Sri
Lanka to accept technical assistance from OHCHR and relevant special procedures in order
to address these concerns, but unfortunately the Government has chosen not to accept that
assistance. The resolution continues to encourage that cooperation, and it also reiterates
this Council's call on the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations
in Sri Lanka's own LLRC report, and to hold accountable those responsible for violations.
The sponsors of this resolution are confident that continued attention by the Council will
help to promote reconciliation, justice, and accountability for the people of Sri Lanka.
We therefore urge the Council to adopt this resolution.
Thank you.
>>HRC PRESIDENT (In French): ...23 for, 12 against, 12 abstentions
and so the draft resolution L.1/Rev.1 is adopted.