The resolution S.RES.84, co-sponsored by 11 US senators, expresses support for internal rebuilding, resettlement, and reconciliation within Sri Lanka that are necessary to ensure a lasting peace.
The resolution introduced to the Senate on Monday (01) has been passed and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
Noting that the United States Government has yet to develop a comprehensive US policy toward Sri Lanka, the resolution calls on US President Barak Obama to develop such a comprehensive policy towards Sri Lanka that reflects interests of the US including respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, economic interests, and security interests.
While commending the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for creating the three-member panel to advise him on the implementation of the commitment of the Sri Lankan government to human rights accountability, the S.RES.84 calls on the government to establish an investigative mechanism to probe alleged war crimes.
The resolution "calls on the Government of Sri Lanka, the international community, and the United Nations to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to look into reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights violations committed by both sides during and after the war in Sri Lanka and to make recommendations regarding accountability."
It also calls on the Sri Lankan government to allow humanitarian organizations, aid agencies, journalists, and international human rights groups, greater freedom of movement, including in internally-displaced persons camps.
The Resolution acknowledges that the Sri Lankan government has expressed its "commitment to addressing the needs of all ethnic groups and has recognized, in the past, the necessity of a political settlement and reconciliation for a peaceful and just society."
It notes the establishment of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) by the Sri Lankan President to probe the incidents that occurred in the last seven years of the war and recommend measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future and promote further national unity and reconciliation among all communities.
The S. RES. 84 says the progress on domestic and international investigations into reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other human rights violations during the conflict and promoting reconciliation would facilitate enhanced United States engagement and investment in Sri Lanka.
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