Image: Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez.
(Ceylon Today/29. 02/19) There will be no Government delegation flying to Geneva, Switzerland to be present at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) 40th Session, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) informed Ceylon Today.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Saroja Sirisena said that after a discussion held in this regard, the MFA had adviced Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, to take over the task of handling it with his team of councillors and secretaries, when the periodical review on Sri Lanka is tabled on 20 March.
Meanwhile, the first draft or the preliminary draft of the Core Group on Sri Lanka, which has been floated for amendments, mentions that Sri Lanka should get a two- year’ extension to complete the co-sponsored UN Resolution 30/1.
The Core Group on Sri Lanka, comprising Canada, Germany, Macedonia and Montenegro under the leadership of the United Kingdom, also announced that they will be presenting a Resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.
The preliminary draft noted that they will “Request the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) to continue to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, and to present a written update to the UNHRC at its 43rd session that is in March 2020, and a comprehensive report, followed by a discussion on the implementation of Council Resolution 30/1, at its 46th session, which is in March 2012.”
In the draft, there is also a request for the OHCHR and relevant special procedure mandate holders, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, to continue to strengthen their advice and technical assistance on the promotion and protection of human rights and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.
The other topics stressed for the OHCHR is to take note with appreciation the comprehensive report presented by the UNHCHR to the UNHRC at its 40th session, as requested by the Council in its Resolution 34/1, and request the Government of Sri Lanka to implement fully the measures identified by the Council in its Resolution 30/1 that are outstanding.
SULOCHANA RAMIAH MOHAN ./CT