Image: Sirisena with former UN SG (file photo)
Introducing the resolution on Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council 34th session on 23rd March US representative head of delegation and Director of the Office of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs William J. Mozdzierz said that Sri Lanka’s co-sponsorship of this resolution is a testament to the Sirisena administration’s positive engagement with the international community and commitment to improving the lives of all Sri Lankans. The resolution was adopted by consensus, March 23, 2017.
His full statement follows;
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States thanks Sri Lanka, our fellow core group members, the United Kingdom, Macedonia, and Montenegro, and all other member states and stakeholders for their cooperative engagement on this resolution.
This resolution reflects our continued strong commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation for all the people of Sri Lanka. It recognizes both the important steps that Sri Lanka has taken toward protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, and also the need for full implementation of remaining steps to ensure the consolidation of these protections. Sri Lanka’s co-sponsorship of this resolution is a testament to the Sirisena administration’s positive engagement with the international community and commitment to improving the lives of all Sri Lankans.
We look forward to the adoption of the text, which further commits the Government of Sri Lanka to pursue a process of reconciliation and justice for two more years. It is our sincere hope that this process can help ensure a non-recurrence of conflict and the strengthening of democratic institutions for all Sri Lankans.