Concerns of a nation before UNHRC sessions

In February valentine’s day parties were canceled and people were told to remain at home. Sri Lanka also braces itself to face a new variant of the COVID-19 pandemic which is said to have originated in England and now present in this island nation. But Sri Lankans who have their ‘thinking caps on’ are living life low key. This is because of the upcoming UNHRC sessions in March which could put Sri Lanka in a spot of bother if resolutions are passed against it for alleged human rights violations.

- Ravi Nagahawatte

Sri Lanka is on the back foot for many reasons. One is that there is growing dissent from the minorities because there is an effort by the regime to militarise state establishments and reduce the space for protest and disapproval.

The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) fights the UNHRC stance on Sri Lanka’s alleged human rights violations and at the same time wants to be part of this convention. It also wants to maintain cordial relationships with the rest of the world and be part of the international community; conveniently disregarding the condemnation aimed at them by the outside world for alleged war crimes and human rights violations. If the resolution against Sri Lanka is successfully backed by its detractors in Geneva the islanders may have to bear the brunt of travel bans, the freeze of assets and references made of those who violated human rights to an international criminal court. This would not be a pleasant wicket to be on especially when the country is struggling to service huge loan commitments and wobbling because of a fragile economy.