Norway insisted that the reconciliation and accountability over the alleged war crime committed in Sri Lanka should be carried out with the contribution of the victims of the conflict.
Addressing the 32nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a representative of the Norwegian government made these remarks.
“It is further our expectation that Sri Lanka adheres to OP 6 in the resolution, regarding the planned judicial mechanism to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and of the importance of participation in the judicial mechanism of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorized prosecutors and investigators.”
A number of countries such as Netherlands, Estonia, Ireland, Macedonia, United States, Denmark, Ghana, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany , Republic of Korea, voiced their support for the High Commissioner’s oral update and re-asserted their commitment to ensuring full implementation of Resolution 30/1. While welcoming the positive steps taken by the Sri Lankan government, several countries expressed concern with ongoing human rights violations and the pace of progress.
“All initiatives for reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka should continue to be based on inclusive consultations with victims, civil society and the general population,” said Norway.
