The US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, applauded the adoption of the resolution calling on the Office of the High Commissioner to undertake an investigation in Sri Lanka, stating that accountability there was "long over due".

In a statement issued yesterday, Sen. Menendez said, 

“I applaud today’s passage of the U.S. co-sponsored resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which called for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Accountability is long overdue in Sri Lanka, and I hope that an independent UN investigation will be able to pursue justice, accountability and reconciliation for the grave human rights violations allegedly committed by both sides during Sri Lanka’s civil war."

"Earlier this month, I sent a letter to Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressing my support for this resolution and raising concerns about the shrinking space for civil society in Sri Lanka.  I remain very concerned about the deterioration of the environment for journalists, human rights defenders and religious minorities in Sri Lanka and call upon the government to take steps to also address these pressing issues.”

See related article:  US Senate Foreign Relations Chair calls for international investigation in Sri Lanka (19 Mar 2014)

Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.