Context: Recently, the resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ has been adopted at the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
About the Resolution

• It was the first to be voted on using the extraordinary e-voting procedures established for the 46th Session, which was held virtually.
• The resolution was sponsored by a group of countries including the UK, Germany and Canada.
• It is critical of Sri Lanka’s failure to address human rights violations that occurred during the civil war (ended in 2009) and also contended that rights defenders and ethnic and religious minorities are facing problems.
• It gives the UNHRC the mandate to collect and preserve evidence of crimes committed by the armed forces and the LTTE.

Out of 47 countries, 22 voted for the resolution, 11 countries including Bangladesh, China and Pakistan, voted against and 14 countries, including India, Indonesia, Japan and Nepal, abstained.

Sri Lanka’s Reaction

• Both the government of Sri Lanka and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) were expecting exact opposite outcomes on the resolution and also expected India’s support.

Both sides appeared sympathetic to India’s abstention that effectively amounts to support for neither party.

• The TNA held that India must have decided to abstain after “careful consideration” of various factors.
• Earlier, it deemed the resolution “politically motivated and rejected it after passing.
• It highlighted that the resolution cannot be implemented without the consent and acceptance of the country concerned.
• It held that the money allocated for the effort (around USD2.8 million) should be redirected towards providing housing and employment for the war-affected people.

India’s Stand

• India abstained from the vote under the belief that states have the primary responsibility for protecting human rights.

India’s approach to human rights in Sri Lanka is guided by two fundamental considerations namely,

• Support to the Tamil minority for equality, justice, dignity and peace.
• Ensuring the unity, stability and territorial integrity of the island nation.

It has always believed that these two goals are mutually supportive and Sri Lanka’s progress is best assured by simultaneously addressing both objectives.

• India’s concerns in Sri Lanka have always been different from the rest of the international community, informed by a sense of the long-term well-being of the Tamils.
• India urges Sri Lanka to carry forward the process of reconciliation, address the aspirations of the Tamil community and continue to engage constructively with the international community to ensure that the fundamental freedoms and human rights of all its citizens are fully protected.
• India has traditionally shied away from backing such intervention on human rights issues because of its sensitivities related to the Kashmir issue.
• India also supports the world community’s call for Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitments on devolution of political authority to the Tamils.