HRW seeks resolution on Sri Lanka's human rights

COLOMBO (News1st): New-York based non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch has called on the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution that would scrutinize the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. The recommendation came ahead of the 46th UN Human Rights Council sessions set to begin on February 22. In a report published yesterday, Human Rights Watch has described the current repression of activists, journalists, lawyers, and the families of victims, and vulnerable minorities in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the human rights watchdog called on governments to support a resolution that would advance international accountability for international crimes in Sri Lanka. It also recommended targeted sanctions and travel bans on individuals credibly accused of serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in the country. Human Rights Watch also urged financial bodies and multilateral donors to ensure that all economic and development assistance to Sri Lanka complies with human rights guidelines. It called on Sri Lanka to cooperate with the UNHRC on a new resolution to secure evidence and probe allegations of grave human rights abuses and war crimes and to prosecute those responsible. The report also urged the Sri Lankan Government to avoid adopting any recommendation by the Presidential Commission on Political Victimization which would interfere in the proper functioning of the courts, the Attorney General’s Office, and in police investigations.