Australia is refusing to back the resolution on Sri Lanka submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, saying such a resolution must first reflect the progress seen in Sri Lanka.
The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop as saying Australia had not co-sponsored the resolution and wanted a motion to reflect ”progress” in ”reconstruction and rehabilitation” in Sri Lanka. The Abbott Government is resisting a push by its closest allies to establish a United Nations investigation into war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.
Australia has previously co-sponsored resolutions at the UN’s Human Rights Council expressing concern on Sri Lanka’s record but is understood to have exasperated the US, Canada, Britain and the European Union by not yet backing this one, which for the first time calls for an independent and comprehensive inquiry into the allegations.
The Australian Foreign Minister said Sri Lanka has made progress since the end of the civil war in 2009, including reconstruction and rehabilitation. She said they expect this to be reflected in any final text. She said they encourage all parties to take a constructive approach to assist the process of reconciliation in Sri Lanka.”
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