Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka

IN June 2010, the Secretary-General appointed the Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka to advise him on accountability issues in Sri Lanka and offered it as a resource to the Government, and particularly to the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

- Jeevan Thiagarajah

The title of this article goes back to 2012 when the Human Rights Council used it for the first of succeeding annual resolutions on Sri Lanka. At the 19th Session of the Council they adopted resolution (A/HRC/19/2) 'Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka 19th Regular Session (2012 Feb). It:

■Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and to take all necessary additional steps to fulfil its relevant legal obligations and commitment to initiate credible and independent actions to ensure justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation for all Sri Lankans;

■Requests the Government of Sri Lanka to present, as expeditiously as possible, a comprehensive action plan detailing the steps that the Government has taken and will take to implement the recommendations made in the Commission’s report, and also to address alleged violations of international law;

■Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to present a report on the provision of such assistance to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-second session.’

The UN emphasises constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission AND to present, as expeditiously as possible, a comprehensive action plan.

Distinct, actionable recommendations