UNHRC Resolution SL tells UK ‘We want equal treatment not revisit on past happenings’

• UK leads core group that proposed 2021 resolution
• The original resolution calls for investigation into rights , accountability issues
• The text of the latest resolution changed to broaden the scope of the previous one reflecting the economic crisis

By Kelum Bandara   

In its fresh engagement with the United Kingdom (UK)  regarding the UNHRC process, Sri Lanka has categorically said that it  wants equal treatment but not revisit past happenings, an official  said.   

The UK leads the core group of countries that proposed the  resolution adopted in 2021 calling for an investigation into the  allegations of human rights and accountability issues, and updated last  year to reflect more on the issues arising from the economic crisis.   

Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United States are the other countries.   

The Operative Paragraphs (OP) 8 of last year’s  resolution seeks to continue the work initiated in the original  resolution which created capacity within the Office of the High  Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to collect, consolidate, analyse  and preserve information to support judicial and other proceedings.   

When presenting the resolution, the UK said the capacity  was set up in response to the lack of progress made by Sri Lanka’s  domestic legal mechanisms towards accountability for past alleged gross  violations of human rights.   

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the UK Rohitha  Bogollagama discussed the future of bilateral ties when he presented the  Open Copy of his Letter of Credence to Ms Victoria Busby OBE, Vice  Marshal and Director of Protocol at the Foreign, Commonwealth and  Development Office on November 23, 2023, before the formal and  ceremonial presentation of Credentials to King Charles III.   

As far as the UNHRC process is concerned, he informed the  UK government that Sri Lanka only wants equal treatment but not revisiting what happened in the past.