The European Union Thursday welcomed the appointment of the Panel of Experts by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to probe the alleged violations of human rights and humanitarian laws by Sri Lanka during the final stages of the ethnic conflict.
Issuing a statement on behalf of the European Union the High Representative Catherine Ashton said the European Union welcomes the appointment on 22 June of the UN Panel of Experts with the mandate to advise the UN Secretary General on the issue of accountability with regard to any alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka.
"Commitment on human rights and accountability was a key point of the Joint Statement issued by H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka and the UN Secretary General during the latter's visit to Sri Lanka in May 2009," it said.
The High Representative recalling the Council Conclusions of 27 October 2009, said the European Union encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate fully, including through the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by President Rajapaksa, with the members of the Panel, in the interest of all concerned.
"The European Union hopes that these initiatives can contribute to an inclusive and sustainable political solution addressing the legitimate concerns of all the communities on the island," Ms. Ashton said.
The Sri Lankan government has expressed its clear opposition to the UN Panel saying that it is unwarranted and unnecessary.
Government of China said today that Sri Lanka is capable of solving their own problems and a UN panel is not needed.
No comments:
Post a Comment