The 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council gets underway in Geneva, Switzerland today (27).
A report compiled by the UN Human Rights Commissioner will be tabled during the session. A group of representatives under the leadership of Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera is due to participate in the session.
The UNHRC sessions are set to highlight attention to Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan delegation is seeking a time extension to complete the action it has promised to take against alleged war crimes and ethnic reconciliation.
The UNHRC sessions will begin under the patronage of High Commissioner Prince Zeid Al Hussein. The Foreign Minister and the 5 member delegation left the island last evening. Minister Mangala Samaraweera is due to address the UNHRC session tomorrow (28).
Srilanka issue was discussed in UNHRC sessions during the years 2012, 2013, 2014 and finally in the year 2015. a resolution on Srilanka was brought by America, which was co sponsored by Srilanka. In the resolution it was clearly stated that an investigating mechanism to be established with the participation of Common Wealth Judges, lawyers and justice meted out to people affected . Since then, although several steps have been taken by the new Government towards reconciliation , investigation mechanism is yet to be established.
European Countries led by Great Britain is expected to bring a resolution on Srilanka seeking time space to address reconciliation and accountability issues. In the meantime, eight TNA MPs and several Tamil Organizations have petitioned the UNHRC not to grant extension. However, Srilanka is likely to get extension.
