US to introduce resolution on Lankan human rights in Geneva

Deeply concerned about allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sri Lanka, the US today said that it plans to introduce its own resolution on the issue at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. "We continue to be deeply concerned by allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights in Sri Lanka," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told reporters. "At the end of this conflict, we support a full accounting for all who are engaged in acts that violated international humanitarian law," Nuland said. She welcomed the report by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay noting the strong concern about the government of Sri Lanka's lack of action to address these long-standing issues of reconciliation and accountability. "We plan to introduce our own resolution on this into the Human Rights Council," Nuland said. At the corresponding session last year the India-backed US sponsored resolution urged the Sri Lankan government to show progress on reconciliation. Sri Lankan forces had crushed Tamil rebels in May 2009 after nearly three decades of brutal fighting. The conflict claimed up to 1,00,000 lives, according to UN estimates, and both sides are accused of war crimes. Sri Lanka while formulating an action plan for implementation maintained that most of the recommendations were already put in to effect.