What next?

Saturday, 24 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The UNHRC saga is entering a new phase. As the US carried through its intentions, admittedly in a watered-down method, the thought that rises now is, what next?

The US resolution is a step in pushing the Government towards accountability, but does not impose legal restrictions and demand an investigation. However, there can be an investigation because Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) has stipulated this in its recommendations. The challenge is whether the Government will stay true to this and whether any investigation carried out by it will be impartial, transparent and trustworthy.

The cursory glance at the US resolution puts the main points in three broad paragraphs. They are given below:

Point one calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and to take all necessary additional steps to fulfil its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans.

Point two requests the Government of Sri Lanka to present, as expeditiously as possible, a comprehensive action plan detailing the steps that the Government has taken and will take to implement the recommendations made in the Commission’s report, and also to address alleged violations of international law.

Finally, point three encourages the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant special procedures mandate holders to provide, in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, and the Government of Sri Lanka to accept, advice and technical assistance on implementing the above-mentioned steps; and requests the Office of the High Commissioner to present a report on the provision of such assistance to the Human Rights Council at its 22nd session.

At first glance this seems reasonable, but the test is in the implementation. There is a strong awareness of what needs to be done but how is another matter. What steps the Government will take, especially when there are more trying economic issues to solve, and at what speed will be watched by all people.

The ball is now firmly in the Government’s side of the court. How the resolution will be addressed and whether there will be more strain with the UN as it attempts to monitor the steps taken by the Government without becoming the enemy will require a fine balance.

The Sri Lankan Government has insisted that the resolution is counterproductive, but it cannot continue in this negative vein. It needs to understand and acknowledge that there is grave need to implement the LLRC and clean up its own governance as well so that there is equitable and sustainable development within the nation.

Granted the US does not have the moral power to preach human rights to another country, there are positive points in the resolution that are mostly connected to Sri Lanka’s own LLRC report and therefore must be acceptable to the Government. If the intention all along was to implement the LLRC report, then the latest events will have little impact on deflecting that.