US supports the UNHRC decision to delay report on Sri Lanka
Thursday, 19 February 2015 00:33
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Geneva; The United States expressed support for the decision taken by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to postpone the presentation of the report on Sri Lanka at its upcoming session in March.
US Representative to the UNHRC Ambassador Keith Harper in a statement released on Monday said the United States supports the consensus decision taken by the Human Rights Council on the OHCHR’s report on Sri Lanka.
“We commend the pledges made - and initial steps taken - by the new Sri Lankan Government to revive Sri Lanka’s democracy, improve governance, support credible justice and accountability mechanisms, enhance the protection of human rights and facilitate reconciliation after nearly 30 years of war,” Ambassador Harper said.
He said the US encourages the Sri Lankan Government to use the time between now and the release of the report to work jointly with the OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) to achieve these shared goals, and - when the report is released - to duly consider the recommendations contained therein.
The UNHRC on Monday granted a request made by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to delay the consideration of the report into alleged human rights violations during the conflict in Sri Lanka for six months until September 2015.
The US Ambassador reaffirmed that his Government is steadfast in its commitment to “ensuring accountability, justice, reconciliation and respect for human rights for all the people of Sri Lanka.”
