India voted for a US-sponsored resolution at the
United Nations' top human rights body censuring Sri Lanka for its
alleged rights violations during the war against the Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Eelam.
India,s reluctance to vote on a nation-specific
resolution ,changed its stand after political parties in Tamil Nadu
exerted pressure on the United Progressive Alliance government to go
with the resolution. The DMK threatened to pull out its
Ministers from the UPA government on the issue.With 24 votes for, 15 against and 8 abstentions, the 47-member United
Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted the resolution, which noted
with concern that an internal inquiry report in Sri Lanka did not
adequately address “serious allegations” of violations of international
law. The resolution asked Colombo to present expeditiously a comprehensive
action plan detailing the steps to implement the recommendations of the
Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and to address the
alleged violations of international law.
Informed sources said India decided to vote after persuading the sponsor
to make two changes in the draft so that it became “non-intrusive” and
contributed to a political reconciliation process in the island nation.
India did not participate in the debate, but voted with countries like
Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and
Uruguay. However, Indian sources pointed out that New Delhi was successful in
bringing about the change in the resolution to add a paragraph that said
“recalling Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 on institution building of
the Human Rights Council” to give a context.
The other change was in reference to the wording of the last para, which
speaks of providing advice and technical assistance in implementing the
steps suggested in the resolution. The amendment makes it clear that
advice and technical assistance will be provided “in consultation with
and with the concurrence of” the government of Sri Lanka that made the
resolution “non-intrusive,” the Indian sources said.
Source:The Hindu
