India votes against Sri Lanka in UN resolution

News Desk

The statesman

Date of publication: 22-03-2013

 

Bowing to domestic political pressure, India yesterday voted for the resolution of the UN's Human Rights Council (UNHRC) against Sri Lanka for violations of human rights.

However, India played it safe if it's not requirements did that Sri Lanka have an "international" investigation into the alleged war crimes committed by the country's army by the end of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

India's stand has no one happy Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, made with the say that India has "diluted" the U.S.-supported resolution and in the process let down the Tamils in Sri Lanka and the people of Tamil Nadu.

Human Rights Watch, in a press release, also expressed her sorrow.

' The Council may not ask for an independent, international investigation into war crimes and other serious human rights violations committed by the LTTE and the Government forces in the last phase of the war, a step called for by Sri Lankan groups, the High Commissioner for human rights and the Secretary-General of the United Nations Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka. An independent, international investigation is essential both overdue getting justice for victims, "said the

Sri Lanka is hardly expected to be thrilled with India for the second time in a row to vote against. The Sri Lankan representative in Geneva rejected the resolution and called it "unacceptable to Sri Lanka".

Twenty-five countries, including India, have voted for the resolution in the strong body of 47-nation. Thirteen countries, including Pakistan, voted against, and eight Member States abstained from voting.

"We repeat our request for an independent and credible investigation into allegations of human rights violations and loss of civilian life. We urge Sri Lanka to take forward measures to account. We expect these measures to the satisfaction of the international community, "said India's representative to the UNHRC.