Ireland continues to monitor developments in Sri Lanka. Under the terms of resolution 30/1, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 1 October 2015 and later extended by UNHCR Resolution 34/1 on 23 March 2017, which Ireland co-sponsored, the Council welcomed the commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to undertake a comprehensive approach to dealing with the past and to promote reconciliation, accountability and human rights. We welcomed the co-sponsoring of Resolution 30/1 by Sri Lanka, which demonstrated the Government’s resolve to ensure justice and strengthen human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
Ireland has been pleased to note the steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to implement Resolutions 30/1 and 34/1 but has also noted the continuing challenges facing civil society and human rights defenders there.
Three decades of civil war in Sri Lanka, which ended in 2009, have left their mark. As we know in Ireland, reconciliation is an ongoing process which requires constant effort and engagement by all involved. Progress has been made but much remains to be done.
The political crisis in Sri Lanka at the end of 2018 tested Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions. I welcome the peaceful and democratic resolution of the crisis in accordance with the Constitution.
I understand that a resolution on Sri Lanka will be brought forward at the current Session of the Human Rights Council. Drawing on our experience with the preceding resolutions, Ireland will engage constructively with the issue through our Permanent Mission in Geneva. However, a final decision on supporting such a Resolution will only be taken when its content becomes clear.
