Sri Lanka withdraws from UNHRC Resolution

On February 26, 2020, the Sri Lankan Government formally notified the United Nations that it will withdraw from the UNHRC (United Nations Human Rights Council) resolution.

Highlights

The UNHRC resolution 40/1 was co-sponsored by Sri Lanka and 11 other countries. The main aim of the resolution is investigation of war time violence against Tamil Tiger rebels.

The Tamil Rebels were demanding separate homeland. They were claiming that they were ethnic tamil minority and hence are eligible for separate homeland.

The US-China Factor

The United States barred the Sri Lankan Army Chief from entering the US soil accusing him of war crimes. Experts believe that the decision of Sri Lanka to withdraw from UNHRC is an after effect of US move.

Why?

Today, China has taken the port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka for a lease of 99 years. It is now used by the Chinese as a Naval base. There are more such upper hands of the Chinese in the internal political matters of Sri Lanka. With China’s greater presence in Sri Lanka and its defence forces, US was hesitant towards the Sri Lankan Army Chief visit to the US.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2020