Australia in Switzerland
Bern and Geneva
Switzerland, Liechtenstein

statement745


Human Rights Council - 30th Regular Session

Item 2 – High Commissioner’s Report on Sri Lanka

Australian Statement

30 September 2015

We are pleased to co-sponsor the landmark resolution supporting reconciliation, human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka.

Australia recognises that the Sri Lankan Government has made an effort to reach out to the UN and the international community.

Australia notes the serious findings in the OISL report, particularly that war crimes and crimes against humanity may have been committed by both sides to the Sri Lankan civil conflict.

We welcome the Sri Lankan Government’s constructive response to the report and its commitment to improving human rights, reconciliation and accountability.

We were encouraged by Foreign Minister Samaraweera’s address to the Council outlining proposals for independent, credible and empowered mechanisms for truth seeking, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.

Effectively implementation of these mechanisms will provide Sri Lanka with a platform to achieve genuine reconciliation.

Sri Lanka’s proposals and its commitment to develop these mechanisms through a wide process of consultation, particularly with victims, show a welcome resolve to heal the wounds of the past.

As a fellow Commonwealth member and Indian Ocean neighbour, we stand ready to provide assistance to Sri Lanka as it implements its proposals to deal with the past and move forward as a nation.

Australia will continue to provide other practical assistance to progress reconciliation, and remains committed to supporting a stable and prosperous Sri Lanka.