The resolution is a fundamentally partial and politicised response to a human rights and humanitarian crisis», said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH.
The text was drafted by the government of Sri Lanka and promoted by Cuba, in a move to reaffirm the « sovereignty » of Sri Lanka on the response to bring to the crisis and to laud the « efforts » undertaken by the government in this respect.
According to FIDH, such decision is a terrible blow to independent voices and moral authorities, such as the UN high Commissioner for human rights and all UN Special Rapporteurs who had been calling for an independent commission of inquiry into the crisis.
«An international and independent investigation must nevertheless be deployed through existing alternative means. We call on the Government of Sri Lanka to enable it.» she added.
Failure to investigate independently the crimes perpetrated by all parties would sign a blank cheque for impunity and the perpetration of further international crimes. FIDH calls on all existing mechanisms and concerned States to mobilize for an international commission of inquiry to take place.
The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote:
* 29 in favour : Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Uruguay, Zambia
* 12 against: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK
* 6 abstentions : Argentina, Japan, Gabon, Mauritius, Republic of Korea, Ukraine
Proposals to reinforce the value of the text were rejected through a « motion of no-action », a procedural action to block their consideration adopted with the following support.
* 22 in favour : Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi arabia, South Africa
* 15 against : Argentina, Bosnia, Canada, Chile, Germany, France, Italy, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Rep. of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, UK, Uruguay
* 7 abstentions : Azerbaijan, Brazil, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, Ukraine, Zambia
Press Contact : Julie Gromellon, Representative to the UN, +41 22 700 12 88
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
