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UNHRC 51st session : TNA pushing for new UNHRC resolution

07 Sep 2022

  • TMTK pushing for International Criminal Court case
  • TNA in bilateral talks with UNHRC Member States on content   
BY Buwanajee Coralage    In the backdrop of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) 51st regular session around the corner in Geneva, Switzerland, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is presently conducting bilateral talks with UNHRC Member States with a view to moving a fresh Resolution concerning Sri Lanka at the upcoming session, while the Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani (TMTK) is pushing for Sri Lanka’s case to be brought before the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The TNA has, however, not decided to send representatives from the party to attend the upcoming UNHRC session, noted TNA Spokesman MP M.A. Sumanthiran PC, while speaking to The Morning yesterday (6).  He stated that the TNA is planning to bring about a new resolution under the guidance of other UNHRC Member States.  “We have made our position clear to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). To my knowledge, no representatives from the TNA are attending the session on 12 September. However, the TNA will bring about a new Resolution, and we are engaging with Member States on what matters have to be included in it,” said Sumanthiran.  Meanwhile, TMTK Leader C.V. Wigneswaran stated that though no official representatives from the party will be sent to the UNHRC session, the diaspora will act as the party delegated at the session on 12 September.  Moreover, he stated that they will be calling for a case to be filed at the ICC with regard to the alleged human rights abuses and violations committed by the Sri Lankan Government during the civil war.  “There should be an investigation conducted by an international judicial body with regard to the human rights abuses and violations that have happened in the country,” he said. The UNHRC’s 51st regular session will take place from 12 September to 7 October 2022, where UN HCHR Michelle Bachelet is scheduled to make a detailed presentation on Sri Lanka. The Government of Sri Lanka announced this week that it will oppose any “anti-Constitutional” moves by the UNHRC.


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