U.N. rights office gets mandate to document Sri Lanka war crimes

[March 23, 2021]    GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. human rights boss Michelle Bachelet was given a mandate on Tuesday to collect and preserve information and evidence of war crimes committed during Sri Lanka's long civil war that ended in 2009.

A Navy officer looks at the heroes' name board of a war memorial, during a commemoration ceremony to mark the 9th anniversary of the fallen soldiers during the final stage of war between Tamil Tigers and government army, in Colombo, Sri Lanka May 19, 2018. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte

The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution, brought by Britain on behalf of a core group of countries, strengthening her office's capacity to investigate with a view to future prosecutions. The vote was 22 countries in favour, with 11 against, including China and Pakistan, and 14 abstentions including India.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Pal Alasdair)

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