The United States says it will support a Resolution at the UN Human Righs Council (UNHRC) on Sri Lanka government's war panel report.!!!

US to discuss LLRC at UNHRC .

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 18:22 NewsEditor Hits: 126 .

The United States says it will support a resolution at the UN Human Righs Council (UNHRC) on Sri Lanka government's war panel report.

Maria Otero, the most senior US official to visit Sri Lanka since 2005, said she discussed the recomendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“I urged the Sri Lankan Government to share the details of their plans and begin fulfilling the recommendations called for in the report, and to credibly address outstanding issues of accountability,” she told journalists in Colombo.

US Under Secretary General of State Maria Otero said the LLRC has addressed “number of crucial areas” though there are “shortcomings on Accountability.”

Child Labour

“I confirmed the United States will support a resolution in the UN Human Rights Council in March that provides an opportunity for the Government of Sri Lanka to describe what it intends to do to implement the LLRC's recommendations and advance reconciliation, as well as address accountability, human rights and democracy concerns,” added Ms Otero.



She also urged Sri Lanka to address the needs of all communities and ensure the rule of law is upheld for a lasting reconcialition.

“We hope that all Sri Lankans see diversity as a strength, not a weakness.”

Together with the Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake, Ms Otero has met senior Sri Lanka officials and representatives of the opposition political parties and the civil society.

She is the most senior US government official to visit Sri Lanka since the visit by then Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2005.

The senior US official commended Sri Lanka government’s improved track record in successfully prosecuting human trafiickers and reducing child labour.

“Today less than two percent of children are engaged in the worst forms of child labor in Sri Lanka. This is a significant achievement, particularly in this region,” she said.

- BBC