Sri Lanka looking for Indian Support ahead “46th Session of UNHRC”

Sri Lanka looking for Indian Support ahead “46th Session of UNHRC”

Sri Lanka has officially sought India's support at UNHRC sessions on the island nation's rights and accountability record.

What is UNHRC?

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a major institution of UN focusing on Human Rights issues. This committee was created by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 in order to encourage the protection, and the promotion of Human Rights, and to make recommendations regarding Human Rights violations.

What is the Aim of UNHRC?

The main Aim of the UNHRC is to promote and protect human rights around the globe. Apart from that, the UNHRC also investigates alleged human rights violations in countries.

What are the significance of UNHRC?

The Council has the power to adopt resolutions, launch fact-finding missions and investigations, and establish commissions of inquiry. In particular, the HRC can appoint independent experts on specific issues.

The mandate of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is to ensure universal enjoyment of all human rights, to remove obstacles to their effective implementation, and to enhance coordination and cooperation of human rights-related activities throughout the United Nations system.

The UN Security Council, at times, deals with grave human rights violations, often in conflict areas. The UN Charter gives the Security Council the authority to investigate and mediate, dispatch a mission, appoint special envoys, or request the Secretary-General to use his good offices.

The 46th Session of UNHRC

The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 46th regular session between 22 February and 23 March 2021. During the 46th UNHRC session in Geneva, Sri Lanka’s record in human rights and related accountability was probed.

The United States co-sponsored a resolution led by the United Kingdom on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka.” The United States, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Core Group and likeminded countries, worked to include a mandate for OHCHR to collect, analyze and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.