Saturday, 27 September 2014 00:25
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India has told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) said that Sri Lanka should be given all necessary assistance in a “cooperative and collaborative manner” following the war adding that engaging the country concerned in a collaborative and constructive dialogue and partnership is a more pragmatic and productive way forward.
The Indian delegation to the UNHRC also took note of Sri Lanka’s engagement with UN human rights mechanisms, despite its non-recognition of recent resolutions adopted by the Council on Sri Lanka.
“My delegation is of the view that it is desirable for every country to have the means of addressing human rights violations through robust national mechanisms. The Council’s efforts should be to provide technical assistance to them to develop the necessary institutions for this purpose. We believe that engaging the country concerned in a collaborative and constructive dialogue and partnership is a more pragmatic and productive way forward. This is the approach that was envisaged by UN General Assembly resolution 60/252 that created the HRC in 2006, as well as the UNGA resolution 65/281 that reviewed the HRC in 2011,” the Indian delegation said.
India notes with concern that the High Commissioner for Human Rights has not indicated how he intends to proceed with his investigation in the absence of cooperation from the country concerned.
“The composition of the OHCHR investigating team, its work methodology and sources of funding, have also not been shared with this Council. We would urge the High Commissioner to do so in order to maintain the credibility of the report,” the Indian delegation added.
India also said that it believes that the implementation of LLRC’s recommendations lies at the core of reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka and India continues to underscore that the report of the LLRC and its findings and recommendations, provide a window of opportunity to forge a consensual way forward towards a lasting political settlement.
“We reiterate our call for effective and timely implementation of all the constructive recommendations contained in the LLRC Report including those pertaining to missing persons, detainees, reduction of ‘high security zones’, return of private lands by the military and withdrawal of security forces from the civilian domain in the Northern Province,” India said.
The Indian delegation said that its Government has remained engaged with the Government and political parties in Sri Lanka and has stressed the need for a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, dignity, justice and self respect within the framework of a united Sri Lanka.
“India has also urged all stakeholders in Sri Lanka to engage constructively, in a spirit of partnership and mutual accommodation, towards finding a political solution that builds upon the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. Our considered view is that early progress on devolution and a political settlement in Sri Lanka will prepare the ground for a more sustainable redressal of accountability issues, to the mutual satisfaction of the parties concerned,” the Indian delegation added. (Colombo Gazette)
