RES/34/1 Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka

GE.17-05286(E)



Human Rights Council Thirty-fourth session

27 February-24 March 2017

Agenda item 2

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 23 March 2017

34/1. Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in

Sri Lanka

The Human Rights Council,

Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants

on Human Rights and other relevant instruments,

Reaffirming Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 of 1 October 2015 on promoting

reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka,

Recalling Human Rights Council resolutions 19/2 of 22 March 2012, 22/1 of 21

March 2013 and 25/1 of 27 March 2014,

Reaffirming that it is the responsibility of each State to ensure the full enjoyment of

all human rights and fundamental freedoms of its entire population,

Reaffirming also its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and

territorial integrity of Sri Lanka,

Welcoming the visits made to Sri Lanka by the United Nations High Commissioner

for Human Rights, from 6 to 9 February 2016, and by the Secretary-General, from 31

August to 2 September 2016,

Welcoming also the visit made by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary

Disappearances from 9 to 18 November 2015, the advisory visits made by the Special

Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence,

the joint visit by the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers and the

Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or

punishment from 29 April to 7 May 2016, and the visit by the Special Rapporteur on

minority issues from 10 to 20 October 2016,

Welcoming further the steps taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to implement

Human Rights Council resolution 30/1, and recognizing in this context the need for further

significant progress,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the comprehensive report presented by the

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council at its

thirty-fourth session,1 as requested by the Council in its resolution 30/1, and requests the

Government of Sri Lanka to implement fully the measures identified by the Council in its

resolution 30/1 that are outstanding;

2. Welcomes the positive engagement of the Government of Sri Lanka with the

High Commissioner and the Office of the High Commissioner since October 2015, and

with relevant special procedure mandate holders, and encourages the continuation of that

engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights and truth, justice,

reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka;

3. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant special procedure

mandate holders, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri

Lanka, to strengthen their advice and technical assistance on the promotion and protection

of human rights and truth, justice, reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka;

4. Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to assess progress

on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes related to

reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, and to present a written update

to the Human Rights Council at its thirty-seventh session, and a comprehensive report,

followed by a discussion on the implementation of Council resolution 30/1, at its fortieth

session.

56th meeting

23 March 2017

[Adopted without a vote.]

1 A/HRC/34/20.