Responsibility, Autonomy and the Geneva 

Resolution (2015)

2016-01-30
he resolution co-sponsored by our government at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a mutual agreement entered into by Sri Lanka, as a Sovereign Member State of the UN, which recognises our responsibility to embark on a process of reconciliation among communities that will foster peace and prosperity. 

This resolution is an opportunity to do what is right, by ourselves and for ourselves, and for our future generations. Over the many decades, including the post-war period, there have been assassinations, abductions, torture and conscription of children and sexual violence perpetrated on women. These realities have often been denied by most politicians who have tried to promote racist and divisive ideologies to achieve short term gains. In this environment, we, the citizens must support the efforts to establish an impartial investigation, probing the events that are perceived differently, so as to arrive at a consensus on what happened, and what needs to be done. It is only in this way that we may achieve a common understanding of a troubled era in our history.  

"Extremism, adversarial and divisive politics, and the cynical exploitation of sectarian fears and insecurities,  would obstruct our common search for truth, justice and reconciliation."

The joint resolution is a reminder that truth-seeking and justice, however complex, ensure social integration, and that their absence is detrimental to civic order and the Rule of Law. Prudent investment of resources in critical areas of national life such as education, health, protection of the environment, strengthening our institutions and the media, and wise and responsible political leadership, will be our best chance to detect and resist recurrence of injustice, discrimination and impunity for violence and abuse of power.  
If we are serious about a non-recurrence of the human rights abuses of the past, we should acknowledge that those who were guilty of criminal behaviour under our law must be brought before the Courts, and held responsible. This is an issue of individual accountability for unlawful conduct, and must not be thought of as punishment for heroism or as political vengeance. We cannot condone impunity or amnesty for brutal acts of violence and abuse. The prosecution process must also respond to individual suffering, and support victims and people who come before the Courts as witnesses. Psycho-social support is required for these people both during and after the process.
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