The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has adopted Resolution A/HRC/60/L.1/Rev.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka, at its 60th session in Geneva.
The resolution, adopted without a vote, extends the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) mandate in Sri Lanka for an additional two years. A total of 22 countries co-sponsored the revised resolution, which was tabled on October 1.
The updated resolution calls on the OHCHR to continue its monitoring work and to present a written update at the Council’s 63rd session, followed by a comprehensive report at its 66th session on progress made in reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka.
The United Kingdom, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia served as the main sponsors of the resolution, with several European countries joining as co-sponsors.
Introducing the resolution, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Kumar Iyer, noted that the draft acknowledges the steps taken and commitments made by the Sri Lankan government to address long-standing human rights concerns stemming from the decades-long conflict. However, he urged the government to translate those commitments into concrete action.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which began on September 8, is scheduled to conclude on October 8.
