Defending the US-sponsored resolution that has now been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said the Sri lankan Government must now take “meaningful action on reconciliation and accountability” and “fulfill its public commitments”.
“Today’s vote in the UN Human Rights Council encourages the Government of Sri lanka to continue on the path toward lasting peace and prosperity following decades of civil war and instability,” Kerry said in a statement, hours after the UNHRC’s adopted the resolution, with 25 countries, including India, voting in favour and 13, including Pakistan, voting against it and eight abstaining and one remaining absent.
“The United States, together with international partners, calls upon the Government of Sri lanka to fulfill its public commitments to its own people on these longstanding issues,” he said.
Noting that the resolution builds on the one adopted last year, Kerry said: “We look to the Government of Sri lanka to implement the recommendations of the lessons learnt and Reconciliation Commission (llRC) and to reverse recent negative developments on rule of law and human rights.”
“While some important progress has been made, there is much work still to be done,” he said, adding that the US was ready to assist with this vital work. “I look forward to continuing our engagement with the Government of Sri lanka and strengthening our friendship with the Sri lankan people,” he said.