46th Regular UNHRC Session: Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka - 10th Meeting

25 February 2021, Geneva: CHRI delivered a video oral statement in the Interactive Dialogue on the recent report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on "Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" (Agenda Item 2) at the 46th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). CHRI was among the ten civil society organisations that intervened in the interactive dialogue, following the presentation of the report by High Commissioner, Mme. Michelle Bachelet, response by the Minister of Foreign Relations of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena and observations by other States. 

In the statement, delivered by Ms. Aditi Patil, CHRI endorsed the recommendations made in the OHCHR Report and the need to have a victim-centred approach to the issue. CHRI highlighted the trend of roll-back from international obligations, consistent failure of the national or domestic mechanisms for accountability showing the inability and unwillingness necessitating international action, and the need to identify and act on the early warning signs showing a significant risk of further violations. CHRI also underlined the preventive role of the Council to ensure non-recurrence and prevent future violations by calling on the Council to establish a principled position through a robust resolution to secure justice for victims, survivors and their families. 

You can read the statement here and watch the video below: