States debate Sri Lanka resolution text

States debate Sri Lanka resolution text

 Published by UN Watch - at March 8, 2012 in Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Sri Lanka. 

The US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Eileen Donahoe, chaired today an informal
session to introduce their resolution on reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

During one of the most dramatic informal consultations –with a UN security guard by the doors–
the Sri Lankan Attorney-General challenged the premise and necessity of this draft, which he
categorically rejected and refused to engage in a dialogue on it. He called the consultation a
“farce,” adding that “might is not right.” He was supported by Egypt on behalf of NAM, Russia,
China, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Algeria and other NAM countries. They all stressed that they
oppose country-specific resolution and that the text will have no effect without the consent of
the concerned country. Cuba challenged the US Ambassador by asking her to submit a resolution on
Guantanamo if they are so concerned with accountability issues.

Denmark for the EU, France, the UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland,
Germany, Norway and others supported the US initiative, calling it timely and necessary. The EU
also said they would like to see a reference in the text to the report of the Secretary-
General’s Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka. One of their recommendations is for the Council to
reverse its resolution praising Sri Lanka for its actions during the 2009 civil war that left
thousands of civilians dead.
http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2012/03/08/1803/