India votes against Sri Lanka at UNHRC; UNSC extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan, India expresses concern over NATO 2014-withdrawal from Afghanistan; UNSC concerned about security situation in CAR; UN condemns terrorist attacks in Damascus
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    • According to reports, at the UN Human Rights Council, India was among the 25 countries that voted in favour of a resolution against Sri Lanka on human rights. The US-sponsored resolution was opposed by 13 countries while 8 abstained from voting. Though India expressed concern, it failed to make any amendments to the resolution. India had earlier encouraged Sri Lanka to expedite the process of broad-based, inclusive and meaningful reconciliation. 1

    According to reports, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the UN mission in Afghanistan for another year until 19 March 2014 in order to back the government’s National Priority Programmes as it goes through the process of taking full control of security, governance and development by 2014. 2 Meanwhile, India at the UNSC stated that despite concerted efforts of the international community for over a decade in Afghanistan, the country continues to face an existential threat from “syndicate of terrorism” from across the border. India also cautioned the US and its allies against arriving at a conclusion in Afghanistan that as the countries prepare to withdraw, there is no similar draw down on the part of the terrorist outfits from across the border. 3

    In another development, according to reports, the Security Council expressed strong concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic where renewed fighting by the Seleka rebel coalition is threatening civilians and the fragile peace reached earlier this year in January. The Council also condemned the threats by militias and related movements against civilians and called upon all actors to refrain from inciting violence. 4 Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General and the Council members called on all parties to immediately cease hostilities, to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access and condemned all attempts to undermine the stability of the country. 5

    In other developments, reports noted that the UN Secretary-General and the UNSC strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Damascus which left more than 40 people dead. Ban Ki-moon called for prompt and thorough investigation and to bring the perpetrators to justice. 6

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