India abstains in the “UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka”

India abstains in the “UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka”

India along with 13 other countries abstained from voting on a resolution against Sri Lanka for war crimes against Tamils at United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. The vote came after India's Permanent Representative to United Nations in Geneva had presented a letter to UNHRC Home Office calling for the withdrawal of the resolution. The letter informed that the insensitive attitudes and actions by Sri Lanka towards ethnic communities, particularly the Sinhalese has been detrimental to peace and security in Asia and around the world.

What is UNHRC?

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The United Nations Human Rights Council has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.

What is the Objective of UNHRC?

The United Nations Human Rights Council investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

What is the Significance of UNHRC?

UNHRC is an inter-governmental body within the UN which responsible for promotion and protection of human rights. It meets 3 times a year to examine human rights violations worldwide. Its resolutions are not legally binding but carry moral authority.

About UNHRC Resolution on Sri Lanka

• The resolution titled 'Promotion of Reconciliation Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka' was adopted by the UNHRC after 22 members out of 47 voted in favour of it.

• 11 countries including Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan voted against the resolution. On the other hand, 14 countries, including India, Indonesia, Japan, and Nepal abstained.

• The 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution titled “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”.
• The resolution said that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka has deteriorated under the current administration. Further, the resolution also mentions that the rights defenders and ethnic and religious minorities are facing problems.
• The UNHRC resolution provides the UNHRC chief mandate to collect and preserve evidence of crimes related to Sri Lanka’s civil war. The Civil War ended in 2009 with the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels.
• Sri Lanka rejected the UNHRC resolution. It said that the resolution cannot be implemented without the consent and acceptance of the country concerned.