Strong International Support for Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council in Geneva
A significant number of countries showed their support for Sri Lanka during the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) that started in Geneva on 9th September 2024. The countries praised the progress made by Sri Lanka in the past two years, including stabilizing the economy, implementing social protection measures, and ongoing efforts to promote national unity and reconciliation through internal processes.
Speaking as the concerned country following the presentation of the report from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Sri Lanka´s Permanent Representative Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka explained that Sri Lanka has managed to stabilize its economy through a mix of careful economic decision-making and financial oversight, as widely acknowledged. Sri Lanka also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with the UN, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the related Treaties.
The Permanent Representative also mentioned that while strengthening the economy for the benefit of all Sri Lankans is a top priority for the Government, progress is being made on national unity and reconciliation. The ongoing efforts through internal processes, such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations (OR), Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR), the Office for Overseas Sri Lankans, and the Interim Secretariat for the Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) were highlighted, with detailed information provided in the Government’s written response to the OHCHR Report.
Ambassador Arunatilaka emphasized that social protection measures, like the Aswesuma program, have been implemented to assist vulnerable groups. It was noted that the OHCHR Report overstepped its mandate by commenting on macroeconomics and financial issues that fall under sovereign Parliamentary oversight. The Permanent Representative voiced Sri Lanka’s disagreement with the OHCHR report, citing lack of balance and failure to recognize the atrocities committed by the LTTE during the terrorist conflict. Sri Lanka reiterated its strong opposition to Resolution 51/1 and the external mechanism established within the OHCHR, considering it unnecessary and counterproductive.
Fifty-five countries participated in the Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka, with a majority of them urging the Council to acknowledge the economic recovery measures, democratic institutions stabilization, social protection initiatives, progress made through domestic reconciliation institutions, and Sri Lanka’s ongoing engagement with the Human Rights Council and the OHCHR in a constructive manner. Countries also questioned the feasibility and usefulness of the “Sri Lanka Accountability Project,” labeling it as “unjustified,” “inconsistent with the UN Charter,” “disconnected from the ground realities,” and “counterproductive.”
The Sri Lankan delegation to the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council included officials from the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka.
During the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council, many countries showed support for Sri Lanka by commending their progress in stabilizing the economy, implementing social protection measures, and promoting national unity and reconciliation through domestic processes. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative highlighted their success in economic stability, commitment to human rights, and ongoing efforts in reconciliation through various offices and programs. Additionally, Sri Lanka expressed disapproval of the OHCHR report for lacking balance and failing to acknowledge LTTE atrocities. A majority of countries also questioned the validity of the “Sri Lanka Accountability Project” and urged acknowledgment of Sri Lanka’s achievements and engagement with the Human Rights Council.
