{"id":216994,"date":"2021-03-04T18:47:42","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T13:17:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?p=216994"},"modified":"2021-03-08T16:23:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-08T10:53:26","slug":"how-can-sri-lanka-successfully-overcome-the-challenge-of-the-unhrc-resolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/index.php\/how-can-sri-lanka-successfully-overcome-the-challenge-of-the-unhrc-resolution\/","title":{"rendered":"How Can Sri Lanka Successfully Overcome The Challenge Of The UNHRC Resolution?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><strong>By <a style=\"color: #ff6600;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/?s=Rohana+Jayaratne\">Rohana Jayaratne<\/a> &#8211;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_171173\" style=\"width: 160px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Rohana-Jayaratne.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-171173\" class=\"size-thumbnail wp-image-171173\" src=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Rohana-Jayaratne-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Rohana-Jayaratne-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.colombotelegraph.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/Rohana-Jayaratne-50x50.jpg 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-171173\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Rohana Jayaratne<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The United Nations was founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries for the express purpose of maintaining international peace and security in order to save succeeding generations from the repetition of the scourge of war by facilitating conflict resolution through\u00a0negotiated settlement. Additionally, the UN helps nations work together to eliminate poverty and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other&#8217;s rights and freedoms and for the protection of nature essential for sustainable life on the planet.<\/p>\n<p>In essence, it acts as the moral compass of the world in upholding universal values, ethics and principles which are respected by all nations and critical for the progress and survival of humanity.<\/p>\n<p>In the above context, can Sri Lanka question the integrity of the UNHRC, an important arm of the UN, and thereby condemn the very foundation that it was built on?<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0four\u00a0largest\u00a0contributors\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0United\u00a0Nations\u00a0are\u00a0the\u00a0USA\u00a0(22%),\u00a0China\u00a0(12.005%),\u00a0Japan\u00a0(8.564%) and\u00a0Germany\u00a0(6.090%) who together finance some 49% of the entire UN budget. The United States contributed roughly $10 billion in 2018, slightly less than one-fifth of the body&#8217;s collective budget. Hence, they have a strong oversight in the formulation of its budget and operations.<\/p>\n<p>This is the reality that weaker membership has to collectively consent to if they wish to benefit from the safeguards to international peace and security. However, the UN General Assembly\u2019s \u2018one nation one vote\u2019 policy strives to ensure a forum for democratic governance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>No doubt, the UN faces serious challenges which are inevitable as a consequence of the conflict arising from the policy of self interest of individual nations versus their collective interest. It is the responsibility of nations to view the bigger picture of the UN body and all its arms in complying with its covenants and contracts of universal nature. Exiting voluntarily from UN membership or being expelled for non compliance is not an option for a weak nation in the global context of super power competition.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>The Security Council<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Permanent membership\u00a0in the\u00a0Security Council\u00a0was granted to\u00a0five\u00a0states based on\u00a0their\u00a0importance in the aftermath of World War II namely the USA, China, France, Russia and the UK also referred to as the five superpowers. The council&#8217;s ten elected members, which serve two-year, nonconsecutive terms, are not afforded veto power but wield moral authority to guide decision making on enforcement of UN resolutions.<\/p>\n<p>The five super powers have earned their status through economic, military, technological, political and cultural strength as well as\u00a0diplomatic and soft power influence.<\/p>\n<p>It is evident that the geopolitics of the world is a function of super power competition which is the overarching reality within which weaker nations like Sri Lanka have to progress and protect their individual interests.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In keeping with the world\u2019s status quo, it would be in Sri Lanka\u2019s best interest to act in a manner that is non-confrontational and co-operative with the UN and its ancillary bodies.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>The Human Rights Council (UNHRC)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Human Rights Council (HRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system limited to 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year.<\/p>\n<p>The HRC\u00a0was\u00a0established\u00a0by the UN General Assembly in 2006 to\u00a0replace\u00a0the UN\u00a0Commission\u00a0on Human Rights (UNCHR) which was criticized for its ineffectiveness in addressing\u00a0human rights\u00a0abuses and for allowing countries with poor human rights records to be members. \u00a0It reports directly to the\u00a0UN General Assembly where every nation has an equal say in decision making.<\/p>\n<p><b><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">Universal Human Rights<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p>Promoting and protecting human rights is one of the United Nation\u2019s fundamental goals. It works actively to define, help implement, and monitor international human rights standards. The General Assembly, for example, has adopted some 80 human rights conventions and declarations since 1948.<\/p>\n<p>Universal human rights are expressed and guaranteed by law, in the forms of treaties, customary\u00a0international law, general principles and other sources of international law which are formulated on the basis of universal principles of justice. International human rights law lays down obligations of Governments to take positive action in certain ways or to refrain from particular acts in order to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>The United Nations Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOCHR)<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The UNOCHR has the lead responsibility for the promotion and protection of human rights, and for mainstreaming human rights within the UN. It has been given\u00a0a unique mandate\u00a0to do so by the international community, through the General Assembly.<\/p>\n<p>Hence, it is important to keep in mind that the clearly enunciated mandate is the guiding force of all HR Resolutions.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>Human Rights Mechanisms<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The UN has established a number of human rights mechanisms to monitor the implementation of human rights standards worldwide as follows:<\/p>\n<p><b>* Human Rights Council<\/b>, an intergovernmental body of 47 member states elected the UN General Assembly<\/p>\n<p><b>* Ten human rights treaty bodies<\/b>, which are committees of independent experts who monitor the implementation of the 10 core human rights treaties by the countries who&#8217;ve ratified them<\/p>\n<p><b>* Independent thematic and country experts<\/b>,\u00a0known as the special procedures, who are appointed by the Human Rights Council to report and advise on human rights<\/p>\n<p><b>* Judicial organs<\/b> in the UN family, such as the International Criminal Court, and specialized criminal tribunals established by the Security Council, work to ensure justice in cases of gross human rights violations<b>.<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Here again, it is evident that the HRC operates within strict guidelines and procedures with critical checks and balances to ensure impartiality and independence making it virtually uncontestable by individual nations.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, the allegation that the HRC is operating on a hidden agenda to discredit and censure Sri Lanka appears very unlikely.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In this regard, it has been recently highlighted that the UK as a major contributor with super power status is about to pass legislation to exonerate the British army from war crime charges and other war related<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>violations of human rights. The proposed bill was reviewed and totally condemned by JUSTICE, the UK section of the International Commission of Jurists on the grounds that it would dilute the UK\u2019s commitment and adherence to international human rights laws and norms. They strongly urge parliamentarians to vote against the Bill, in its entirety.<\/p>\n<p>It is heartening to note that the display of independent review and condemnation of the Bill by UK legal experts is commendable and indicative of its fate.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Many such issues which display the self interest of powerful member states taking precedence over international norms of conduct are rife. However, checks and balances provided through their processes of democratic governance most often ensure that such actions do not come to fruition.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The administrative mechanism of all UN bodies, particularly the UNHRC which addresses issues of a very sensitive nature, are often subject to intimidation by powerful nations or non compliance by authoritarian regimes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Consequently, it is important to understand that such issues have to be managed by them with great tact and firmness to avoid a potential collapse of its governing principles, objectives, processes and its very existence as the institution of last resort available and acceptable to the world in the face of injustice and wrong doing relating to rights and freedoms.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>UNHRC Resolutions on Sri Lanka<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>In its first Resolution\u00a0 25\/1\u00a0adopted in March 2014 on \u201cPromoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka\u201d, the council mandated the UN Commissioner for Human Rights to \u201cundertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with assistance from relevant experts and special procedures mandate holders\u201d.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It is important to note that the mandate of the OISL (Office of Commissioner\u2019s Investigation on Sri Lanka) required it to undertake investigations into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties to the conflict. The legal framework comprises of all obligations assumed by Sri Lanka under international human rights treaties and those applicable under customary international law. With regard to LTTE accountability, although a non-state actor cannot formally become party to human rights treaties, it is accepted that non-state groups exercising\u00a0de facto\u00a0control over a part of the State\u2019s territory are liable for human rights violations.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>However, no action has yet been taken by the government to indict living representatives of non-state groups who are alleged to have committed human rights violations.<\/p>\n<p>The second Resolution 30\/1 of October 2015 was envisaged as a kind of blueprint for action by the government of Sri Lanka. It contained a range of specific commitments designed to help improve the human rights situation and to address the legacy of Sri Lanka\u2019s war. Unfortunately, the pace of implementation has been extremely slow. Key pledges included under the umbrella of transitional justice remain outstanding<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>like returning all military held lands to civilian owners, setting up a mechanism to trace disappeared persons and, crucially, establishing a justice mechanism with support of international involvement to investigate alleged war crimes.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The resolution was extended by Resolution 34\/1\u00a0in March 2017 in order to grant more time to the government to fulfill its pledges followed by a second extension via Resolution 40\/1 of February 2019 to renew the commitments contained in Resolution 30\/1, and to ensure that international scrutiny of Sri Lanka\u2019s efforts to deal with the past continues.<\/p>\n<p>As<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>highlighted in the January 2021 report<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>by Commissioner Bachelet, she states that in the absence of \u201cconcrete results,\u201d over the past five years, the growing \u201cmistrust among victims\u201d, as well as the \u201crisk of new violations\u201d posed by the failure to deal with past ones warrant urgent action.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>OISL Investigation<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>During the period covered by the investigation by OISL, the application of international humanitarian law, in particular\u00a0provisions of the Geneva Convention relevant to non-international armed conflicts, to measure the conduct in the conflict of both the Government and non-state armed groups were applied.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>The same was applied by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Its mandate also required the OISL to apply international criminal law to the incidents and events under investigation in determining whether crimes have been perpetrated.<\/p>\n<p>In order to establish the facts and circumstances of alleged violations, abuses and crimes by both parties, the OISL conducted a desk review of all existing documents and information, including government and civil society reports, collect and document victims\u2019 testimonies and the accounts of survivors, witnesses and alleged perpetrators, as well as seeking information from other relevant sources such as satellite images, authenticated video and photographic material and official documents.\u00a0\u00a0In analyzing the information collected, it corroborated facts and accounts to meet the agreed standard of proof.<\/p>\n<p>It is the responsibility of HRC to judge the authenticity and impartiality of the OISL in keeping with the highest standards of integrity espoused by the UN.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\"><b>Sri Lanka\u2019s Response<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Sri Lanka has urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to reject the forthcoming draft resolution to be presented this month voicing \u201cserious concern\u201d over the \u201cdeteriorating\u201d rights situation in the country.<\/p>\n<p>In her January 2021report, Bachelet called for an International Criminal Court investigation into Sri Lanka\u2019s Tamil separatist conflict and sanctions against top generals and others accused of war crimes as Sri Lanka has not implemented, over the past five years, any of the agreed mechanisms in pursuit of transitional justice.<\/p>\n<p>Consequently, The United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Malawi, Montenegro and North Macedonia submitted a draft resolution for consideration by the 47-member Human Rights Council.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The draft resolution \u201cexpresses serious concern over emerging trends over the past year, which represents clear early warning signs of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>They include the \u201caccelerating militarization of civilian government functions, erosion of the independence of the judiciary \u2026 ongoing impunity and political obstruction of accountability for crimes \u2026 surveillance and intimidation of civil society and shrinking democratic space, arbitrary detentions, allegations of torture\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>In view of the above very serious allegations and in consideration of the aforementioned conditions, constraints and accountability placed on Sri Lanka as a member of the UN, the following strategy maybe worthy of consideration:<\/p>\n<p>1. Fast track a safe and neutral means of non confrontational engagement with the HRC in implementing transitional justice\u00a0in the current context of high risk geopolitical and economic<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>realities and super power competition in the region.<\/p>\n<p>2. Display genuine commitment and credibility to reconciliation by rapidly implementing the recommendations of the LLRC and other related local commissions on transitional justice.<\/p>\n<p>3. Counter the call for an international war crimes tribunal by setting up a credible local tribunal &amp; invite internationally recognized legal experts as observers to counter allegations of the lack of judicial independence.<\/p>\n<p>4. Avoid confrontation with international media and countries supporting the resolution which can further harm Sri Lanka\u2019s image as they are too powerful force to reckon with.<\/p>\n<p>5. Avoid using LTTE atrocities as a defense mechanism as it diminishes Sri Lanka\u2019s status &amp;\u00a0\u00a0legitimacy by continuously pointing out the obvious since the world has for long recognized the LTTE as a Terrorist organization by banning them<\/p>\n<p>6. Strategically engage, as a matter of critical importance, with the powerful Tamil Diaspora with facilitation by minority Tamil parties thereby co-opting all into the process of reconciliation.<\/p>\n<p>7. Enhance the government\u2019s credibility by immediately engaging with both Tamil and Muslim parties in seeking a genuine resolution to the root cause of the ethnic conflict which will help fast track the critical problem of lagging socio-economic development.<\/p>\n<p>8. Negotiate with India on the implementation of the 13<sup>th<\/sup> amendment on granting devolution as non-co-operation may endanger relations which are of critical importance to the socio-economic progress of Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n<p>9. Formulate a comprehensive action plan to display the governments\u2019 sincerity in pursuing a good governance strategy which assures all communities of equitable allocation of resources, upholding of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and most importantly by rectifying past mistakes which is a <i>sine qua non<\/i> for a successful \u2018way forward\u2019 strategy.<\/p>\n<p>10. Inform and educate the citizens of the dangers of non cooperation both on the international and regional front in order to counter opposition due to ignorance of geopolitical and other realities.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">11. <\/span>Build awareness among citizens that;<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>* International laws and Covenants reflect universal\u00a0ethical principles of shared human values which reaffirm the commitment to help build a better world where peace, freedom, responsibility, justice, humanity, and\u00a0morality\u00a0prevail. Compliance with these laws will only serve to enhance Sri Lanka\u2019s international image.<\/p>\n<p>* The outdated concept of state sovereignty is of little or no relevance any more in a globalized and interdependent world with porous State borders due to rapidly expanding and instant communication via ICT.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>* The concept of Unitary Status in a geographically defined multi ethnic polity, by nature of its centralized control, is flawed because it tends to be detached from the interests of minorities in deference to the majority leading to inequitable socio-economic development.<\/p>\n<p>* Devolution of Power for regional autonomy can better serve the interests and aspirations of minorities thereby eliminating discontent and frustration leading to renewed confrontation and conflict. Adequate evidence exists of the benefits of power devolution in the world today.<\/p>\n<p>* The pursuit of a credible and genuine policy of reconciliation and resolution of the ethnic conflict will ultimately yield the expected socio-economic benefits to all citizens through equity, peace and harmony.<\/p>\n<p>In realizing its vision of \u2018vistas of prosperity and splendor \u2019 for Sri Lanka, there remains fervent hope that the government<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>will make a change of course, even at this late stage, to co-operate with the UNHRC in order to come to a mutually acceptable compromise in addressing issues of<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>transitional justice in the best interest of the nation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1625,"featured_media":213413,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2186,46,8,2375],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-216994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colombotelegraph","category-featured-news","category-constitutional-reforms","category-editorial","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Can Sri Lanka Successfully Overcome The Challenge Of The UNHRC Resolution? 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