The UNHRC yesterday dropped the Swiss-EU draft resolution calling for an investigation into possible war crimes in Sri Lanka's recently concluded war on terrorism and adopted Sri Lanka's counter resolution with some of the proposals in the Swiss-EU document incorporated into it.
Of the 49-member Council, 29 voted for Sri Lanka's resolution, 12 against and 6 abstained.
A last minute move by Germany to introduce nine proposals to Sri Lanka's resolution on behalf of the EU was scuttled by Cuba. Those proposals were considered detrimental to Sri Lanka’s interests.
LTTE backers vehemently condemned the resolution while some rights groups faulted the UNHRC for budging.
Geneva based sources said some compromises had been made by both sides to promote consensus among the Council members.
The UNHRC had a Special Session at the behest of the US, the UK and EU. Denmark and Britain were leading a vocal and sustained drive to pin down Sri Lanka and this resulted in most Council members pledging solidarity with Sri Lanka. Indian and Pakistan sank differences to throw their weight behind Sri Lanka.
Countries with Sri Lanka:
India, Pakistan, Russia, China, Malaysia, Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bolivia, Brazil, Bukinafaso, Cameron, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia,
Jordan, Madagascar, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Uruguay, Zambia, Qatar, South Africa, , Senegal, Saudi Arabia and Nigeria
Against Sri Lanka
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Germany, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, UK and Zambia
Abstained
Argentina, Gabon, Japan, Mauritius, Republic of Korea and Ukraine.
Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe last night told The Island that Mauritius and Korea had been among the 17 countries which originally moved against Sri Lanka.
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