Saturday, 29 March 2014 00:09
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President has ordered the immediate release of all Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s custody as a goodwill gesture for India’s decision to abstain from voting at the UN Human Rights Council, for the United States-led resolution against Sri Lanka.
The Presidential Media Unit said the measure was taken to show Sri Lanka’s gratitude to India and expressed hope that it would further enhance the bilateral relationship with the neighboring country.
India on Thursday refrained from voting on the resolution which request the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake a comprehensive investigation into Sri Lanka’s rights violations.
Explaining its vote India said the resolution HRC25 has the potential to hinder the efforts of Sri Lanka rather than contribute constructively to its efforts in reconciliation and therefore decided to abstain from voting.
This is the first time India has abstained from voting for a resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN. Since 2009, India voted in favor of all three resolutions tabled at the UNHRC in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
It is expected that with the President’s order to release all Indian fishermen the postponed second round of talks between the fishermen of the two sides will resume soon.
