Fwd: US Resolution “Welcomes” Calls for Independent International Investigation

[iTamil Organization]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: International News <internati...@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Mar 10, 2013 at 1:42 PM
Subject: US Resolution “Welcomes” Calls for Independent International Investigation
To:

US Resolution on Sri Lanka “Welcomes” Calls for Independent International Investigation into War Crimes

In a move that would embarrass the Government of Sri Lanka, the second draft of the US-sponsored Human Rights Resolution on Sri Lanka has welcomed calls by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay for an independent international investigation into war crimes, while also ‘reiterating’ that the government initiate an independent investigation into alleged violations of international law.

The second draft, which is currently being circulated among UNHCR members, has also welcomed the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has been highly critical of the government for the slow pace in the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).

The draft resolution, a copy of which was obtained by Ceylon Today, also noted the LLRC report and National Action Plan on implementation of LLRC recommendations ‘do not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law.’

It also noted the ‘failure’ of the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its public commitments, including the devolution of powers.

The draft resolution also urged the government to implement the recommendations in the OHCHR report and reiterated its calls to expedite implementation of the LLRC recommendations.

It also called on the government to provide unfettered access to the special rapporteurs on independence of judges and lawyers, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, minority issues and so forth.

Sri Lankan Government has repeatedly turned down requests made by the OHCHR for permission to those visits, termed special procedure visits in UN parlance.

The resolution also granted mandate to the OHCHR to present an interim report, with the input from the special procedure visits, to the 24th session of the UNHRC and also a report to the 25th session.