The US State Department says the US backs the oral report and comments made on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay at the UN Human Rights Council at its 24th session which concluded last week.
In a note on the key decisions taken by the US at the session, the US State Department spokesperson’s office said that on Sri Lanka the US welcomed the report by High Commissioner Pillay and echoed the High Commissioner’s concerns, in particular regarding restrictions on freedom of expression, attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, and interference with the judiciary.
The note said the United States also noted the High Commissioner’s assessment that, absent meaningful progress on post-conflict accountability, calls for an international inquiry will persist.
During the session the United States had also cosponsored a resolution on preventing reprisals against persons cooperating with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights.
This year’s resolution requests the UN Secretary General designate a UN-wide senior focal point to promote the prevention of, protection against, and accountability for reprisals and intimidation, and to encourage a unified response to such acts throughout the UN system.
(Colombo Gazette)