UN human rights body approves criminal inquiry into civil war abuses in Sri Lanka

GENEVA – The U.N.’s top human rights body has approved an international criminal investigation into alleged abuses in Sri Lanka’s civil war, which ended in 2009.

Members of the 47-nation U.N. Human Rights Council have agreed to set up the yearlong investigation, estimated to cost $1.46 million, based on the recommendation of U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay.

By a 23-12 vote Thursday, with 12 abstentions, the council approved a U.S.-led resolution authorizing Pillay’s office to launch “a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka.” The inquiry also seeks to hold perpetrators accountable.

A U.N. report found up to 40,000 people may have been killed in the war’s final phase, but the government disputes that figure.

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