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During the 46th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council the  International Community showcased its changing attitude towards Sri Lanka in  relation to Human Rights Violations.  

UNHRC Resolution 46/1 brings Sri Lanka one step closer toward prosecution for  supposed human rights violations committed during the decades long civil war  between the government and the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam (LTTE) 

When the first resolution in relation to the matter was brought about many of  the international community supported and encouraged Sri Lanka to pursue  justice at a national level. Seeing as steps had not been taken the international  community showed a shift in attitude towards the problem.  

Amnesty International was quoted stating the resolution as a “landmark” and a  crucial turning point in the justice and accountability in Sri Lanka as the  government only managed to muster its lowest support in the history of the  engagement.  

With the 46th session conducting an e- voting session for the very first time  recorded 22 votes for, 11 against and 14 abstentions for the passing of the  resolution.  

India and Japan were among the key nations that remained tight lipped  regarding the resolution. The voting also saw no support for Sri Lanka by many of the majority Muslim nations. This can be attributed to the recent policies  adopted by the government such as the forced cremation of Muslim Co-vid 19  victims and the proposed banning of the Burka which is viewed by many as  systemic discrimination against the nation’s minority Muslim population 

The highlight of the session can be considered as the establishment of a central  database in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for the storing  of info and evidence relating Sri Lankan Human Rights violations. It is estimated  to cost around $ 2.8 million and is expected to be operational within months.