Amnesty International calls on Sri Lanka for immediate implementation of Office on Missing Persons

The global human rights organisation Amnesty International (AI) has called on the Sri Lankan authorities to immediately implement the much delayed Office on Missing Persons (OMP).

While commending the President and Prime Minister for reaching out to the families of missing persons recently, the organisation said the families cannot wait any longer.

“The people of Sri Lanka cannot wait any longer. Tens of thousands of families, from all communities, have waited far too long already. The Office on Missing Persons must be established as soon as possible,” said Amnesty International’s South Asia Director Biraj Patnaik.

“It is encouraging that both the President and the Prime Minister have reached out to families of the disappeared over recent days. But soothing words must be followed by decisive action. Only justice can heal the wounds of Sri Lankans.”

Amnesty International has called on the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure that the OMP gives full effect to the rights of victims.

The human rights organisation has called on authorities to ensure that evidence of crimes under international law are forwarded for further investigation and prosecution, for there to be gender balance among members of the OMP, to ensure accessibility and public outreach across the country and ensure there is forensic expertise and the requisite capacity and authority for the OMP to be effective.