Where was this resolution signed and what did the resolution include? Without clearly understanding the role of the UNHRC, the standing it has in the international community, and the message Sri Lanka would be giving by ignoring it- one cannot make assumptions or join the bandwagon of easy critics.
What’s the UNHRC and what does it do?
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 member states (including Sri Lanka) responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. Through the submission of the Universal Periodic Review, every few years, every member of the council opens itself up to international scrutiny of its human rights record. The council can pass resolutions on a country against human rights violations and can appoint Special Rapporteurs to investigate human rights conditions in member countries.
The influence of the UNHRC is such that it can impact the decision of member countries to take action in the form of economic embargoes against a country that is unwilling to check its HR record. This was the case when the EU temporarily withdrew preferential tariffs benefits to Sri Lanka (GSP Plus) in 2010 when the then Government refused to make true the promises it made about implementing the recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).
The nature of the resolution: What was it about?
At the time of Resolution 30/1, Sri Lanka was losing its grip on accountability for the violation of human rights and humanitarian law. In a joint statement made by the former UN Secretary General and the Government of Sri Lanka (in 2009), the then President Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse made a promise to fulfil the recommendations of the LLRC. And then, that Government went back on its word.
With the co-sponsoring of the 2015 government, UNHRC Resolution 30/1 titled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka” was passed without a vote on the 23rd of March 2017.
As the title indicates- Res 30/1 prescribes measures to be taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to promote reconciliation between all citizens of the country, to hold perpetrators of violent crimes and human rights abuses accountable for their wrongdoings, and to promote and protect human rights of all Sri Lankans.
Considering the nature of the resolution, to completely ignore it would have been a severely detrimental move on the part of Sri Lanka. It would give a direct message that the Government did not want to promote reconciliation, hold perpetrators accountable or protect human rights in Sri Lanka. The message sent out by the Government would have been that Sri Lanka was afraid of shedding light on its human rights track record, implicitly indicating that there were shortcomings that had to remain hidden.
It would have been to make the same mistake of the previous government and in turn face the consequences of being isolated by the international community. In light of this, co-sponsoring the resolution was a vital decision made by the Unity government at the time and keeping those promises is important for Sri Lanka now more than ever.
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