- The Statesman
- 28 Mar 2014
In a somewhat surprising development, India today abstained from the vote on the US-backed resolution seeking a probe into Sri Lankan war crimes at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The resolution was, however, adopted with 23 countries supporting it, 12 abstaining and 12 voting against it.
In an explanation of the vote, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva, Mr Dilip Sinha, said: “It has been India's firm belief that adopting an intrusive approach that undermines national sovereignty and institutions is counterproductive. Any significant departure from the core principle of constructive international dialogue and cooperation has the potential to undermine efforts of this Council for promoting universal respect for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
He added, “We are, therefore, concerned that the resolution has the potential to hinder the efforts of the country rather than contribute constructively to its efforts, and hence inadvertently complicate the situation.”
India's position is likely to upset the Tamil population in the country and also the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka as India's rationale for favouring a national inquiry into the war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan army towards the end of its conflict with the LTTE is unlikely to find too many supporters.
