57th Session of the Human Rights Council
Agenda Item 2 - General Debate : Statement by Sri Lanka: 11th September 2024
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka takes note of the High Commissioner’s Global update.
UNGA Resolution 60/251, which established the Human Rights Council (HRC), mandates that its work be guided by universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity. Both the HRC and the OHCHR are expected to adhere to these principles, and to the GA Resolution 48/141. Unfortunately, this has not been the case with regard to Sri Lanka.
In setting up the Sri Lanka Accountability Project, the OHCHR has gone beyond its mandate. This is an unprecedented external mechanism imposed on a sovereign country which has always cooperated with the UN and its regular human rights mechanisms. This mechanism is a drain on scarce resources, as was highlighted during the ID on SL , when the international community is urgently in need of focussing attention to ongoing conflicts and human suffering around the world.
Insistence on ever-expanding, externally driven prescriptions and arbitrary assessments on a country without the consent of the country concerned, particularly where domestic mechanisms to promote and protect human rights are in operation will undermine the founding principles of this Council.
Sri Lanka reaffirms its rejection of HRC Resolutions 46/1 and 51/1 and reiterates that supporting domestic initiatives and working in cooperation with the country concerned is the best and most sustainable way to advance and protect human rights, than divisive external methods which only leads to further polarization of the international and domestic communities.
Mr. President,
Sri Lanka appreciates the acknowledgement by many countries of the evident progress on the ground and the many positive comments on domestic efforts for reconciliation during the ID on Sri Lanka. Notwithstanding its position on the so-called Sri Lanka Accountability Project, Sri Lanka has continued its constructive engagement with the UN HRC, the treaty bodies, UPR and the special procedures.
An Inter- Ministerial Standing Committee on Human Rights in Sri Lanka was established in 2024 as a standing national framework to ensure efficient coordination and reporting on Sri Lanka’s voluntary international commitments regarding human rights and reconciliation.
Sri Lanka welcomes the enormous progress achieved by China in uplifting the lives of the Chinese people which enhances the meaningful realization of their economic, social, civil and political rights and reaffirm Sri Lanka´s continued support to the One China Policy. Thank you.
Important Links