Sri Lanka refuses international human rights investigation
2 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka refuses international human rights investigation

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka will not accept any international investigation imposed by the U.N. Human Rights Council into alleged rights abuses during the country’s long civil war, an official said Monday. Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Sabry said the government is willing to engage with the international community in seeking closure for human rights issues, but that any solution should conform with the country’s Constitution. The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is scheduled to publish an update on Sri Lanka’s progress in accountability for the alleged abuses at upcoming Human Rights Council meetings starting Sept. 12 in Geneva, Switzerland. In March last year, the council adopted a resolution strengthening the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights to collect, analyze and preserve information and develop possible strategies for future accountability for violations of human rights in Sri Lanka.

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History of this topic

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Aakar Patel | India, as a UNSC aspirant, should not ignore UN on human rights

Deccan Chronicle  

The United Nations Security Council has 15 members — five permanent and 10 elected. India has been a member of the UN Human Rights Council for 16 of the council’s 18 years — most recently from 2019 to 2024. India has been the subject of 25 critical statements from UN human rights experts and UHCHR since 2019 — during its …

Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake a strong contender for president with his alliance’s focus on working class
3 months, 4 weeks ago

Sri Lanka’s Dissanayake a strong contender for president with his alliance’s focus on working class

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A political alliance centered on the working class has emerged as a strong contender in Sri Lanka’s presidential race, announcing itself to be the agent of change that millions of people called for when an unprecedented economic crisis led to disillusionment with traditional political parties. Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of National People’s Power alliance and its …

Citing ‘inadequate progress’ on rights front, India urges Sri Lanka to keep its promises
1 year, 3 months ago

Citing ‘inadequate progress’ on rights front, India urges Sri Lanka to keep its promises

The Hindu  

India on Tuesday said the progress made by Sri Lanka, on its commitment to fulfill the Tamils’ aspirations, was “inadequate” and urged the island nation to “work meaningfully” to keep its promises. However, progress on the same is inadequate and we urge the Government of Sri Lanka to work meaningfully towards early implementation of its commitments to ensure that the …

ICC to continue investigation of human rights abuses in Venezuela
1 year, 5 months ago

ICC to continue investigation of human rights abuses in Venezuela

Al Jazeera  

ICC has ruled that efforts within Venezuela to hold officials accountable for alleged abuses have fallen short. The International Criminal Court has ruled that its prosecutors can resume an investigation into alleged human rights abuses in the South American country of Venezuela. “The Chamber concluded that, whilst Venezuela is taking some investigative steps, its domestic criminal proceedings do not sufficiently …

Top U.N. official flags ‘accountability deficit’ in Sri Lanka
1 year, 6 months ago

Top U.N. official flags ‘accountability deficit’ in Sri Lanka

The Hindu  

COLOMBO Accountability remains the “fundamental gap” in Sri Lanka’s attempts to deal with the past, a senior U.N. official has said while warning that “as long as impunity prevails, Sri Lanka will achieve neither genuine reconciliation nor sustainable peace.” Referring to the Sri Lankan government’s plans to set up a Truth Commission, to probe allegations of war crimes and grave …

UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of committing range of war crimes in Ukraine
1 year, 9 months ago

UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of committing range of war crimes in Ukraine

ABC  

Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, — including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions — amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity, according to a report from a UN-backed inquiry. Key points: Russian authorities may have committed crimes against humanity, according to a UN-backed inquiry The inquiry's investigators created a list of individuals to be held accountable …

UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine
1 year, 9 months ago

UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions, amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity, according to a report from a U.N.-backed inquiry released Thursday. Among potential crimes against humanity, the report cited repeated attacks targeting Ukrainian infrastructure since the fall that left hundreds of thousands without heat and electricity …

UN rights council moves to investigate Iran’s protest crackdown
2 years, 1 month ago

UN rights council moves to investigate Iran’s protest crackdown

Al Jazeera  

‘Fact-finding mission’ will probe alleged human rights abuses in Iran, with particular focus on women and children. The United Nations Human Rights Council has voted to establish a fact-finding mission to investigate potential abuses in Iran’s crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, with a particular focus on women and children. “The people of Iran, from all walks of life across ethnicities, across …

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india
2 years, 2 months ago

all is not well with the indian economy | the view from india

The Hindu  

The World Bank has revised its estimation of growth in the Indian economy from its initial expectation of 8.7% this year to a gloomier outlook of just 6.5%, citing the worsening external environment. India, China, and human rights at UN forums After the recent vote on Ukraine at the United Nations Security Council that we looked at in last week’s …

Why India abstained on UNHRC resolution on rights situation in China’s Xinjiang
2 years, 2 months ago

Why India abstained on UNHRC resolution on rights situation in China’s Xinjiang

Hindustan Times  

India on Thursday abstained on a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council promoting human rights in Sri Lanka but urged the government in Colombo to deliver on commitments towards the Tamil minority. The draft resolution on the situation in Xinjiang was presented by a group comprising Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the US, and …

India abstains on Sri Lanka vote at Human Rights Council
2 years, 2 months ago

India abstains on Sri Lanka vote at Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

India on Thursday abstained from voting on a resolution on Sri Lanka at the U.N. Human Rights Council, while observing that Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing commitments on the 13th Amendment, meaningful devolution, and early provincial elections remains “inadequate”. Further, India has “taken note” of the Sri Lankan government’s commitments on the implementation of commitments “in the spirit of the …

India Abstains on UNHRC Draft Resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka
2 years, 2 months ago

India Abstains on UNHRC Draft Resolution on Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka

News 18  

India on Thursday abstained on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka which was adopted. The draft resolution on Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was adopted at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, with 20 nations voting in favour …

India abstains on UNHRC draft resolution on promoting human rights in Sri Lanka
2 years, 2 months ago

India abstains on UNHRC draft resolution on promoting human rights in Sri Lanka

Deccan Chronicle  

GENEVA: India on Thursday abstained on a draft resolution in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka which was adopted. The draft resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted at the 51st Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, with 20 nations voting in …

Sri Lanka anticipates ‘significantly lesser’ number of favourable votes at U.N. Human Rights Council
2 years, 2 months ago

Sri Lanka anticipates ‘significantly lesser’ number of favourable votes at U.N. Human Rights Council

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka will get a “significantly lesser” number of favourable votes at the U.N. Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Wednesday said, apparently resigned to reduced international support at the Geneva forum whose 51st session is underway. The Minister’s position signalled a shift in Colombo’s tone from a month ago, when Mr. Sabry said Sri Lanka was “not …

India raises Sri Lankan Tamil issue in U.N.
2 years, 3 months ago

India raises Sri Lankan Tamil issue in U.N.

The Hindu  

India on Monday voiced concern over the “lack of measurable progress” in Sri Lanka’s promised political solution to the long-pending Tamil national question, while making an unusual reference to the crisis-hit island nation’s “debt-driven” economy in the context of its current crisis. “In this regard, the Indian delegation notes with concern the lack of measurable progress by Government of Sri …

‘Sri Lanka’s economic crisis a consequence of past impunity for rights abuses, economic crimes’
2 years, 3 months ago

‘Sri Lanka’s economic crisis a consequence of past impunity for rights abuses, economic crimes’

The Hindu  

Linking Sri Lanka’s past record on human rights record to its current economic crisis, the U.N. Human Rights Chief on Tuesday said “impunity” for human rights abuses, economic crimes, and corruption was the “underlying” reason for the country’s collapse. “For sustainable improvement, however, it is vital to recognise and assist Sri Lanka to address the underlying factors, which have contributed …

Rights group says Sri Lanka harassed, intimidated protesters
2 years, 4 months ago

Rights group says Sri Lanka harassed, intimidated protesters

Associated Press  

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — An international human rights group says Sri Lanka’s government is using emergency laws to harass and arbitrarily detain protesters who are seeking political reform and accountability amid the island country’s economic crisis. New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a statement Wednesday that Sri Lanka’s military sought to curtail protests through intimidation, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests …

Sri Lankan civic activists concerned over ‘witch-hunt’ by state
2 years, 4 months ago

Sri Lankan civic activists concerned over ‘witch-hunt’ by state

The Hindu  

Citizens’ groups and activists in Sri Lanka have expressed concern over a series of arrests last week, of prominent members of the recent anti-government protests, terming it a “witch-hunt” by the state. Human rights defenders point to both, the Emergency, and the subsequent actions of the military and police, as attempts to “stifle dissent.” According to Ambika Satkunanathan, a former …

Sri Lanka crisis: How do you fix a broken country?
2 years, 5 months ago

Sri Lanka crisis: How do you fix a broken country?

CNN  

CNN — For years it had been one of Sri Lanka’s grandest and most heavily guarded buildings, serving as the official residence and state office of the President. “People are tired, hungry and angry … And they are demanding change and accountability because they are sick of seeing the same faces in charge.” ‘We can’t afford to pick or choose’ …

UN Rights Council approves probe into alleged Russian abuses
2 years, 7 months ago

UN Rights Council approves probe into alleged Russian abuses

Al Jazeera  

Inquiry will investigate alleged atrocities in regions near Ukrainian capital that were temporarily held by Russian troops. The UN Human Rights Council has approved an investigation into possible war crimes by Russian troops in Ukraine. 🔴 BREAKING The Human Rights Council has voted to increase scrutiny on the "deteriorating human rights situation in #Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression," particularly …

UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote
2 years, 8 months ago

UN General Assembly votes to suspend Russia from Human Rights Council; India abstains from vote

The Hindu  

Russia’s membership to the Human Rights Council, to which it was elected in 2020, was suspended on Thursday after the United Nations General Assembly voted, 93 to 24, with 58 abstentions, including India, to adopt a resolution suspending Moscow from the UN body. And it is for an immediate end to violence,” Mr. Tirumurti said, calling for diplomacy and reiterating …

US asks Sri Lanka to stop terror law detentions, improve rights
2 years, 9 months ago

US asks Sri Lanka to stop terror law detentions, improve rights

Al Jazeera  

Sri Lanka amends draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act but opposition says the changes will not stop abuses under the law. Sri Lanka’s rights record has drawn the ire of the international community with Colombo accused of carrying out war-time atrocities against its Tamil minority during the decades-long civil war that ended in 2009. Under pressure from the European Union – …

Sri Lanka cardinal seeks UN probe into 2019 Easter bombings
2 years, 9 months ago

Sri Lanka cardinal seeks UN probe into 2019 Easter bombings

Al Jazeera  

Head of the country’s Roman Catholic Church tells UNHCR the massacre now appears to be ‘a grand political plot’. The head of Sri Lanka’s Roman Catholic Church has urged the United Nations to investigate the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people, calling the massacre a “political plot”. “However, subsequent investigations indicate that this massacre was part of a …

Take necessary steps to address Tamil aspirations, India urges Sri Lanka
2 years, 9 months ago

Take necessary steps to address Tamil aspirations, India urges Sri Lanka

The Hindu  

India on Friday called upon Sri Lanka to take “necessary steps” to address the “legitimate aspirations” of the Tamil community, while reiterating its earlier stance that it is in Sri Lanka’s “own interest that the expectations of Tamils in Sri Lanka for equality, justice, peace and dignity, within a united Sri Lanka, are fulfilled”. Delivering a statement in the interactive …

Sri Lanka to amend controversial anti-terror law
2 years, 10 months ago

Sri Lanka to amend controversial anti-terror law

The Hindu  

Sri Lanka will amend a controversial anti-terror law that gives police sweeping powers to arrest suspects without trial to fully align it with international standards, amid mounting pressure from the European Union and the UN Human Rights Council over concerns it violates human rights. The European Parliament in June last year passed a motion for a resolution demanding that the …

Sri Lanka leader vows to fix ‘misconceptions’ over rights record
2 years, 11 months ago

Sri Lanka leader vows to fix ‘misconceptions’ over rights record

Al Jazeera  

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promises human rights reforms and ‘justice’ for missing people after years of resisting calls for such measures. Sri Lanka’s president has promised to change “misconceptions” of his country’s human rights record, following years of international criticism over wartime atrocities and extrajudicial killings. Sri Lanka was censured by the UN Human Rights Council for failing to properly investigate …

Ready to engage with Tamil diaspora for reconciliation talks, says Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa
3 years, 3 months ago

Ready to engage with Tamil diaspora for reconciliation talks, says Sri Lankan president Rajapaksa

Firstpost  

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that he will engage with the Tamil diaspora for reconciliation talks to resolve the country’s internal problems and would not hesitate to grant presidential pardon to Tamil youths in jail for LTTE links Colombo: In a major shift in his policy, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that he will engage with the Tamil diaspora …

Human Rights: With Taliban in Power, Only International Action Can Save Afghans
3 years, 3 months ago

Human Rights: With Taliban in Power, Only International Action Can Save Afghans

The Quint  

The Taliban’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan has magnified concerns about an accelerating human rights crisis in the country. Now, with the Taliban in power, a large number of journalists and human rights defenders are in hiding and trying to leave the country, fearing Taliban reprisals. Amid growing threats from the Taliban to Afghan civil society groups, the loss of any …

Sri Lanka’s political detainees tortured in custody: Rights group
3 years, 3 months ago

Sri Lanka’s political detainees tortured in custody: Rights group

Al Jazeera  

A report by International Truth and Justice Project says 15 Tamils were beaten, burned, suffocated and sexually assaulted for two years. Political detainees in Sri Lanka are being tortured while in police and military custody, a human rights lawyer who wrote a report on alleged abuses says, days before a United Nations human rights summit. The International Truth and Justice …

Explainer: What the UNHRC resolution means for Sri Lanka
3 years, 9 months ago

Explainer: What the UNHRC resolution means for Sri Lanka

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups say the human rights resolution is a critical step in seeking justice for victims of war crimes and a ‘huge blow’ for Colombo. Rights groups say the decision is a critical step in gaining justice for victims of war crimes and could have significant implications for the current Sri Lankan government. The resolution allows the UN “to collect, …

UNHRC Adopts Resolution Against Sri Lanka's Rights Record; Pak, China Vote in Favour
3 years, 9 months ago

UNHRC Adopts Resolution Against Sri Lanka's Rights Record; Pak, China Vote in Favour

News 18  

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday adopted a resolution against Sri Lanka's rights record, in a setback to Colombo, which made determined efforts to garner international support ahead of the voting. Sri Lanka described the draft resolution as "unwarranted, unjustified and in violations of the relevant articles of the United Nations' Charter" India urged that the government …

UN rights office gets mandate to document Sri Lanka war crimes
3 years, 9 months ago

UN rights office gets mandate to document Sri Lanka war crimes

Al Jazeera  

The resolution received 22 votes in favour and 11 against, including China and Pakistan, and 14 abstentions including India. The UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution giving UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet a mandate to collect and preserve information and evidence of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka’s long civil war, which ended in 2009. The erosion …

‘Appalled’: UN urges probe into killing of Philippine activists
3 years, 9 months ago

‘Appalled’: UN urges probe into killing of Philippine activists

Al Jazeera  

Human rights office urges thorough investigation into killings which came days after apparent ‘shoot-on-sight’ order issued. The United Nations human rights office has condemned the killing of nine activists by Philippine police over the weekend and urged the government of President Rodrigo Duterte to investigate the incident, as his national security adviser confirmed a “shoot-on-sight” order against the activists, who …

Justice has failed Sri Lanka civil war victims: UN’s Bachelet
3 years, 10 months ago

Justice has failed Sri Lanka civil war victims: UN’s Bachelet

Al Jazeera  

UN’s human rights chief warns the systems and policies that allowed grave rights abuses remain in place and are being reinforced. Twelve years after the end of armed conflict in Sri Lanka, domestic efforts to ensure justice for victims have failed, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said on Wednesday. Introducing her report on Sri Lanka …

‘Political move’: Sri Lanka urges rejection of UNHRC resolution
3 years, 10 months ago

‘Political move’: Sri Lanka urges rejection of UNHRC resolution

Al Jazeera  

Sri Lanka subjected to ‘unprecedented propaganda campaign’, the foreign minister says in video address to the UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lanka has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to reject a forthcoming resolution voicing “serious concern” over the “deteriorating” rights situation in the country. Last month, UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet called for an International Criminal Court investigation …

Slain Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter files U.N. complaint
3 years, 11 months ago

Slain Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge’s daughter files U.N. complaint

The Hindu  

A daughter of a slain Sri Lankan journalist filed a complaint on January 8 with the United Nations Human Rights Committee over alleged government involvement in her father’s death 12 years ago. Lasantha Wickrematunge, editor of the now-defunct Sunday Leader newspaper, was a strong critic of current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was a powerful defence official at the time. The …

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis
4 years, 4 months ago

India must speak up for human rights at UNSC | Analysis

Hindustan Times  

When India joins the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member in January 2021, it will confront a range of issues. When it joins the UNSC, it will have a choice: Align with rights-respecting countries or make common cause with countries such as China, Russia and Brazil that are trying to tear down the global rules-based legal system that …

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