UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. Distr. \* MERGEFORMAT LIMITED Symbol \* MERGEFORMAT A/HRC/S-11/L.1 22 May 2009 Original: Orig. Lang. \* MERGEFORMAT ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Eleventh special session 26 May 2009 Bahrain, Bolivia, Cuba, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka*: draft resolution S-11/... Assistance to Sri Lanka in the promotion and protection of human rights The Human Rights Council, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments, Reaffirming the purposes and principles of the UN as contained in articles 1 and 2 of the UN Charter, including the principle of non-interference in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of States, Bearing in mind the General Assembly resolution 60/251 of 15 March 2006, Recalling the Human Rights Council resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 on institution-building of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Recalling its decision 2/112 and its resolutions 6/28, 7/7 and 10/15, and recalling General Assembly resolutions 57/219, 58/187, 59/191, 60/158, 61/171, 62/159 and 63/185, and welcoming the efforts of the member States of the United Nations for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Reaffirming the respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Reaffirming its commitment to promoting international cooperation, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, in particular Article 1, paragraph 3, as well as relevant provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights on 25 June 1993 for enhancing genuine cooperation among Member States in the field of human rights, Recognizing that the promotion and protection of human rights should be based on the principle of cooperation and genuine dialogue and aimed at strengthening the capacity of Member States to comply with their human rights obligations for the benefit of all human beings, Welcoming the cessation of hostilities and the liberation by the Government of Sri Lanka of tens of thousands of its citizens that were kept by the LTTE against their will as hostages, as well as the efforts by the Government to ensure safety and security for all Sri Lankans and bringing permanent peace to the country; Welcoming further the recent reassurance given by the President of Sri Lanka that he does not regard a military solution as a final solution, as well as his commitment to a political solution, Emphasizing that after the conclusion of hostilities, the priority in terms of human rights remains the provision of the necessary assistance to ensure relief and rehabilitation of persons affected by the conflict, including internally displaced persons, as well as the reconstruction of the country’s economy and infrastructure. Acknowledging the continued engagement of the Government of Sri Lanka in regularly and transparently briefing and updating the Council on the human rights situation on the ground and the measures taken in that regard, 1. Commends the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to address the urgent needs of the Internally Displaced Persons, 2. Welcomes the continued cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the relevant UN Agencies, and other humanitarian organizations in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected people, and encourages them to continue to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka, 3. Welcomes the recent visits to Sri Lanka by Mr. John Holmes, UN Humanitarian Coordinator and Mr. Walter Kaelin, Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons and encourages them to continue to cooperate in the mobilization and provision of humanitarian assistance to the affected populations; 4. Welcomes Invitation extended by the President of Sri Lanka to the Secretary-General of the United Nations to visit Sri Lanka; 5. Urges the international community to cooperate with the Government of Sri Lanka in the reconstruction efforts, including by increasing the provision of financial assistance, including Official Development Assistance, to help the country fight poverty and underdevelopment and ensure the promotion and protection of all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights. ----- A/HRC/S-11/L.1 page \* MERGEFORMAT 2 A/HRC/S-11/L.1 page \* MERGEFORMAT 3 ________________________ * Non-Member state of the Human Rights Council Word.Picture.8