UN Human Rights Council commends measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka

The Human Rights Council concluded its eleventh Special Session today (27 May 2009) after adopting a resolution on assistance to Sri Lanka in the promotion and protection of human rights in which it encouraged the Government to continue to pursue its existing cooperation with relevant United Nations organizations in order to provide, in cooperation with the Government, basic humanitarian assistance, in particular, safe drinking water, sanitation, food, and medical and healthcare services to the internally displaced persons. It also urged the Government to continue strengthening its activities to ensure that there was no discrimination against ethnic minorities in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights.

In the resolution, which was adopted by a vote of 29 in favour, 12 against, and 6 abstentions, the Council commended the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the urgent needs of the internally displaced persons and welcomed the continued commitment of Sri Lanka to the promotion and protection of all human rights, and encouraged it to continue to uphold its human rights obligations and the norms of international human rights law. It also welcomed the announcement of the proposal to safely resettle the bulk of the internally displaced persons within six months, and encouraged the Government to proceed in these endeavours with due respect to persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities. Read more ...