March 22,2013-Seven amendments proposed by India to the United States-sponsored resolution on human rights in Sri Lanka were rejected by Washington. The US turned down India’s suggestions to the resolution on the Sri Lankan government’s war crimes against its Tamil population following concerns that they would “erode” support for the resolution.
The resolution was passed in Geneva on Thursday with 25 votes, including India’s, in its favour, one more than was mustered by the March 2012 resolution on Sri Lanka.
Thirteen countries voted against the resolution, which urges the Sri Lankan government to “initiate credible and independent action to ensure justice and accountability” for alleged human rights violations and atrocities during the 30-year civil war in the country.
The conflict ended in 2009, after the Sri Lankan Army defeated the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
Among the amendments was one regarding inclusion of a line on the “concern” of the international community in the draft, besides a suggestion to make the language a bit stronger.
Sources say India’s Envoy to the UN Dileep Sinha was tasked with taking up the amendments with his US counterpart Eileen Donahoe, following a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Long deliberations followed before the US conveyed to India its reluctance to allow the suggestions over fears that they would jeopardise the vote. Indians on alert in Sri Lanka Indian government employees in Sri Lanka have been advised by its mission to be cautious as tensions rise between the two countries.
Over the past few days, the Indian consulate in the northern province of Jaffna has collected contact details of all government employees in the island nation. Indian diplomats say they are concerned about possible retaliatory attacks on its workers.
