Report on Sri Lanka is up to UN Human Rights Chief: US
Monday, 16 February 2015 00:00
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Washington, DC: The United States says that the decision on the report on probe into Sri Lanka’s war it is up to the High Commissioner of United Nations Human Rights Council Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein.
US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki Friday said the issue was discussed during meetings Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had with the US Government this week.
However, she has observed that it is a matter for the UN High Commissioner to determine and the US has absolute confidence in him and in the process.
The Sri Lankan Minister met Secretary of State John Kerry Thursday to discuss the bilateral relationship and other regional issues, Psaki said.
“The Secretary reiterated our commitment to the people of Sri Lanka after the historic January 8th elections and for the ongoing effort to strengthen democratic institutions in Sri Lanka. The Secretary reiterated support for the new Government and its 100-day plan. He also underscored the United States and international commitment to accountability and reconciliation after nearly 30 years of war, and expressed ongoing support for a Sri Lanka that is peaceful, democratic, prosperous, inclusive, and unified,” she said at the daily press briefing.
Psaki said that the focus of the United States and the focus of its partners in the international community is supporting accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
“We’re determining the best way forward to address these issues,” she added. “Obviously, it was discussed yesterday, but this is a matter for the UN High Commissioner to determine. We have absolute confidence in him and in this process,” Psaki said referring to the UN report.
When asked whether the US would like the UN to delay the report, the spokesperson said: “We’re going to keep these conversations with the Sri Lankans and with the UN private.”
Lanka is currently seeking a postponement of the report which is scheduled to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council during its March sessions.
When asked if Kerry had accepted an invitation to visit Sri Lanka, the US State Department spokesperson said Kerry would like to visit Sri Lanka at an appropriate time.
