The draft resolution A/HRC/57/L.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka was adopted without a vote during the 57th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
Sponsored by countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United States, the resolution reaffirms the commitment to the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other key international treaties.
The Human Rights Council decided to:
- Welcome the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, presented at the ongoing session.
- Extend the mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner as requested in resolution 51/1 of October 6, 2022, and request an oral update at the 58th session, with a comprehensive progress report on reconciliation, accountability, and human rights at the 60th session, to be discussed in an interactive dialogue.
On Tuesday, Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers expressed strong opposition to the draft resolution, reaffirming the government’s rejection of the extended mandate for the collection of external evidence. Sri Lanka maintains that it has not agreed to any resolution that extends the powers of such mechanisms.
Despite rejecting the resolution, the Cabinet emphasized Sri Lanka’s commitment to addressing key human rights issues, including reconciliation, through domestic mechanisms. Furthermore, the Cabinet agreed that Sri Lanka will continue to engage in cooperative and constructive dialogue with the Human Rights Council and other human rights mechanisms.
