ATC welcomes UN resolution on Lanka

The Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) has welcomed the adoption of the UN 
Human Rights Council resolution requesting the UN High 
Commissioner for Human Rights to undertake a comprehensive 
investigation into serious violations and abuses of human rights and
 related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered
 by Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

In a media release, the ATC said: “We view
 this resolution as a significant step towards seeking the truth, and 
bringing justice to the victims of the brutal war in Sri Lanka.

“We are glad that the resolution was passed by a large margin of votes (23
 against 12), and countries from all continents supported the 
resolution by voting and co-sponsoring.  In particular, we are
 grateful to the US, the UK, the EU and Canada for the consistent leadership they
 have shown in making this a reality.

“In this context, we express our deep disappointment at our government
 for not co-sponsoring this resolution, whereas Australia was co-sponsor
 of the previous two resolutions on Sri Lanka. However, we would like 
to acknowledge that both the major opposition parties and several 
eminent people who called on our government to support this resolution 
through motions and speeches in parliament and by public appeals. It 
is our belief that Australia will change its policy approach towards
 Sri Lanka on a more principled footing by carefully considering the 
long-term interests of both Australia and Sri Lanka.”

Published in Indian Magazine, Australia