Sri Lanka accuses US of human rights abuses before resolution

Just days before a U.S. sponsored resolution will be taken up against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Sri Lankan government has strongly accused the United States of committing human rights abuses, a minister said here on Monday. Cabinet Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that there were reports that the United States had killed civilians during its military operations in Afghanistan and noted that most countries were overlooking such abuses and yet making allegations against countries like Sri Lanka. "Despite all this, the Sri Lankan government will not be shaken by such allegations and will instead continue with its policies for the country," Abeywardena said. The U.S. sponsored resolution was submitted before the UNHRC in Geneva last week after the document was initially circulated among Council members. The draft resolution titled "Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka" is still open for amendments before it is discussed at the Council and debated on next week. The resolution notes the UN High Commissioner for Human Right' s call for an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka It also expressed concern at the alleged continuing reports of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka, including enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture, violations of the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, as well as intimidation of and reprisals against human rights defenders, members of civil society and journalists, and threats to judicial independence and the rule of law. Already countries such as the European Union, Canada and UK have voiced their strong opinion stating that they will vote against the island nation when the final resolution is submitted.