Huma Rights Council Sri Lanka Resolution Vote
/
3:32
/
MP4
/
260.9 MB

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

Huma Rights Council Sri Lanka Resolution Vote

The United Nations Human Rights Council has been given a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka's 37-year long civil war that ended in 2009.

The 47-member council on Tuesday adopted a resolution on Tuesday, brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries, boosting UN rights chief, Michelle Bachelet’s staff and powers, with a view to future prosecutions.

22 countries voted in favour of the text, 11 opposed and 14 abstained, including Sri Lanka’s neighbours, India and Nepal and most Muslim majority countries, except for Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, who voted against the motion.

In the resolution the UNHCR expressed "deep concern" at the “deteriorating situation" in Sri Lanka, and criticised the erosion of judicial independence, marginalisation of minorities and impunity.

The text pointed to trends emerging over the past year, which according to Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, speaking on behalf of the European Union, represent clear early “warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka”

In his introductory comments, UK Representative to the UN, Julian Braithwaite warned of trends which “threaten to reverse the limited gains made in recent years and risked the recurrence of policies and practices that gave rise to the grave violations of the past.”

Tichy-Fisslberger highlighted the “accelerating militarisation of civilian government functions, "the erosion of the independence of the judiciary", and "increased marginalisation" of Tamil and Muslim minorities, which has been “exacerbated” by the island's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the prevention of Muslims and members of other religions from practicing their own religious burial rites.

The resolution also called on the Sri Lankan government to revise the law on the prevention of terrorism which rights groups have warned is being used as a weapon targeting dissidents and minorities in the country.

Under the PTA, the detention of anyone suspected of causing "acts of violence or religious, racial or communal disharmony” is allowed.

In the vote, Asian countries including China and the Philippines closed ranks around Sri Lanka's government, while Japan abstained.

Representative for the Philippines, Evan P. Garcia, said the text was “driven by simplistic generalisations of complex conditions on the ground,” whilst Pakistan’s spokesperson, Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi argued that the draft resolution “fails to acknowledge the long struggle of the Sri Lankan people and government against LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam),” and “shies away from a call for accountability of the LTTE and its sponsors and financiers”.

Sri Lanka's ambassador, C.A. Chandraprema, rejected the text as "unhelpful and divisive”. He argued it would “polarise Sri Lankan society and adversely affect economic development, peace and harmony.”

1. Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying.

2. Wide shot, Assembly Hall in line with COVID-19 distancing measures, Palais des Nations.

3. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Permanent Representative to the WTO & UN in Geneva Mr. Julian Braithwaite: “This resolution and this courtroom is not anti Sri Lanka. We are friends of Sri Lanka and its people, We bring this resolution in the hope that it will help advance the human rights of all communities, including Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sinhala or Tamil And most importantly that it will help prevent the recurrence of past grave violations which the high commissioners report wants this council about in such clear terms.”

4. Mid of President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan.

5. Austria (on behalf of the European Union), Ms. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger: “ This resolution is also important given the warning signs of a deteriorating Human Rights situation including the erosion of democratic checks and balances, rise of exclusionary rhetoric, intensified surveillance and intimidations of CSO’s, human rights defenders and victims as well as discrimination of people belonging to religious and ethnic minority communities. the EU is deeply concerned about these developments, We call on the government of the Sri Lanka to continue to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka including through cooperation on this resolution. For the above reasons the EU supports resolution L1/Rev.1 and hopes it will be adopted by this council, by consensus.

6.Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.

7. Philippines, Mr. Evan P. Garcia: “There is no merit in actions by the council that disrespect these national processes and are driven by simplistic generalisations of complex conditions on the ground. Many of us in Geneva are sheltered from the actual experience of terrorism, conflict and social economic challenges that are everyday realities for 21 million people. This is a handicap that prevents some council members from being more sober in their judgements about the situation in Sri Lanka and from flexing the powers of the council more wisely. Madam President the Philippines will vote on this resolution and we ask other council members to apply wisdom responsibility and sobriety on this matter and do the same.”

8.Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.

9.Pakistan, Mr. Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi: “Madam President, the draft resolution fails to acknowledge the long struggle of the Sri Lankan people and government against LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) an internationally recognised terrorist organisation. The horrendous terrorist activities organised by the organisation aided, abetted and financed externally had resulted in the loss of innocent lives and deprived the people of Sri Lanka from their basic rights and freedoms. The draft resolution fails to condemn these crimes unequivocally and shies away from a call for accountability of the LTTE and its sponsors and financiers. Unfortunately the draft resolution appress to rekindle the suffering rather than dealing with the wounds of the people of Sri Lanka. Madam President, in view of these reasons Pakistan delegation would call the revolution to abort and vote against it.

9. Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.

10. Sri Lanka (Country Concerned), Mr. C. A. Chandraprema: “ The resolution will polarise Sri Lankan society and adversely affect economic development, peace and harmony. For all the above reasons Sri Lanka rejects this draft resolution and requests that members of this council reject this resolution by a vote.”

11. Medium-wide shot, podium with speakers, including President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan at the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.

12. Close of screen showing vote results. Over laid with voice of President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan: “ draft proposal L1 Rev. 1 is therefore adopted.

13. Close of podium with speakers, including President of the Human Rights Council, Nazhat Shameem Khan at the Assembly Hall, Palais des Nations.

Similar Stories

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change ENG FRA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made the following remarks to the Human Rights Council annual panel on adverse impacts of climate change.

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | WHO

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

The first meagre midweek delivery of urgently needed medical goods to enter Gaza in months will provide scant relief to the enclave’s people, who continue to be shot and killed as they search for food, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025

2

1

2

Statements , Edited News | HRC

HRC 59 - Human Rights in Myanmar - 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

Enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s report on Myanmar presented by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and oral update by Thomas Andrews, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNOG

DR Congo update - Tom Fletcher 26 June 2025 ENG FRA

The conflict-impacted people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) urgently need much more international assistance than they are getting today, the UN’s top aid official said on Thursday.

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | UNOG

Myanmar crisis - Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews 25 June 2025 ENG FRA

Violence in Myanmar is spiralling as the military junta increases its attacks on monasteries, schools and camps sheltering people uprooted by the civil war, a top independent human rights investigator warned on Wednesday.

Gaza update-OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Gaza update-OHCHR ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan on Palestinians killed seeking food in Gaza

Iran update - OHCHR

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

Iran update - OHCHR ENG FRA

Iran-Israel war: UN rights office concerned over strike on Tehran prison, reported espionage arrests

Tehran’s notorious Evin prison known for holding dissidents should not be a target, the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday, a day after a reported Israeli strike on the complex.

Gaza update - UNICEF, WHO 20 June 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO

Gaza update - UNICEF, WHO 20 June 2025 ENG FRA

Death and suffering in Gaza are ever-present and the enclave's people now have little choice but to risk their lives to fetch aid supplies, UN agencies said on Friday. “I met a little boy who was wounded by a tank shell at one of these sites on the final day of me leaving Gaza - I learnt that this little boy had since died of those injuries,” said UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson James Elder. “That speaks to both what is happening at these sites and what is not happening when it comes to medical evacuations.”

World Investment Report 2025 – Launch in Geneva

1

1

1

Edited News | UNCTAD

World Investment Report 2025 – Launch in Geneva ENG FRA

UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) launched today the World Investment Report 2025. Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell by 11%, marking the second consecutive year of decline and confirming a deepening slowdown in productive capital flows, according to the report.

Afghan refugee and journalist Zahra Nader

1

1

1

Edited News

Afghan refugee and journalist Zahra Nader ENG FRA

Afghan journalist Zahra Nader fled twice due to Taliban rule, highlighting severe women's rights issues.

Palestinian refugee from the war in Gaza and photojournalist Motaz Azaiza

1

1

1

Edited News

Palestinian refugee from the war in Gaza and photojournalist Motaz Azaiza ENG FRA

Gazan photojournalist Motaz Azaiza documents war's impact, gaining global attention but facing personal peril.

Human Rights Council - Iran

1

1

1

Edited News | HRC

Human Rights Council - Iran ENG FRA

As the Iran-Israel crisis continued into a sixth day, the UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif called for urgent talks to end the continuing exchanges of missile attacks between Tehran and Tel-Aviv.