Behind the Scenes of the 1987 UN Human Rights Resolution on Sri Lanka: Power, Politics, and Diplomacy

In March 1987, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) convened in Geneva at a time when Sri Lanka was under mounting international scrutiny over its human rights record. The 1983 communal riots, which saw widespread anti-Tamil violence, triggered an exodus of Tamils—some to India as direct victims, and many others to countries like Canada, the UK, Australia, and the U.S. Over the next few years, this growing Tamil diaspora transformed into a potent political force, actively lobbying their host governments and legislators.

- BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

By 1987, their efforts had culminated in a concerted campaign by the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), led by Canada, to introduce a resolution targeting Sri Lanka’s human rights situation. What began as a domestic ethnic crisis had by then escalated into a global diplomatic battle. With diaspora communities pressing elected representatives, particularly in Canada, the UK, and the US., these Western governments were compelled to act, often out of political expediency. The Tamil diaspora’s influence in constituencies with swing voters made Sri Lanka’s internal conflict a priority in capitals far from Colombo.

It was against this backdrop that Sri Lanka dispatched a high-level delegation to Geneva. Although Harry Jayewardene—a respected legal luminary and elder brother of President J.R. Jayewardene—was designated as the head of the delegation, his failing health meant he played a supervisory role in Geneva. In practice, the delegation was led by Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Geneva, with critical support from Dr. Hiran Jayewardene, mission staff and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the writer.

By that time. Dr. Hiran Jayewardene had amassed considerable experience in negotiations, having played a pivotal role in completing negotiations that culminated in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During the initial weeks of the session, there was little sign that a resolution on the situation in Sri Lanka would materialize. However, on the very last day earmarked for submission of draft resolutions, the Argentinian delegation unexpectedly tabled one. This raised eyebrows. Why would a distant Latin American country lead such an initiative on Sri Lanka?