UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka underscores continued need for international scrutiny: Amnesty

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Responding to the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted yesterday at the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which extends the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) including the Sri Lanka Accountability Project by one year, Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said that the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution underscores the continued need for international scrutiny on human rights concerns in Sri Lanka. 


"While the extension of the mandate is a welcome step towards supporting accountability, it is disappointing to note that the resolution was extended only by a year, despite calls for at least a two-year renewal by local civil society and international organizations," the Deputy Director said.


“As the country is undergoing a period of political transition following recent presidential elections and with general elections scheduled for next month, it is critical that the new Sri Lankan government breaks from the past and fully engages with the UN Human Rights Council and OHCHR’s Sri Lanka Accountability Project. It was disappointing therefore that the government instead chose to continue past policy and express opposition to evidence gathering by the UN. This casts a shadow on the government’s willingness to utilise available resources to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations and risks perpetuation of deep-rooted impunity. 



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