Chronology of Events

Sri Lanka

April 2011

A UN panel of experts report on possible violations of the laws of war in Sri Lanka was given to the Secretary-General on 12 April. (The Secretary-General appointed a Panel of Experts in June 2010 to advise him on the issue of accountability with regard to any alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka.)

June 2009

On 5 june the Secretary-General held an informal interactive dialogue with the Council and Sri Lankan representatives on his 23 May visit to Sri Lanka.

May 2009

The Sri Lankan government declared victory on 18 May in its 26-year civil war with the Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelem and rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was reported killed. On 13 May, the Council, after holding closed consultations, issued a press statement expressing  grave concern over the humanitarian crisis in northeast Sri Lanka and calling for urgent action by all parties to ensure the safety of civilians. On 11 May, the foreign ministers of UK, France and Austria met with humanitarian organisations and concerned UN members, including eight Council members. Meanwhile, on 27 May the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution welcoming the government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote and protect human rights, encouraging it to pursue existing cooperation with the UN to provide basic humanitarian assistance and welcoming its announcement that it would resettle the bulk of IDPs in six months.

Subscribe to receive SCR publications