UN Rights Chief urges Sri Lanka not to repeat failures of the past

Saturday, 7 March 2015 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Geneva: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday urged the Sri Lankan Government to design mechanisms that will work to address the human rights issues and not repeat the failures of the past. Delivering the Opening Statement at the 28th Session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the High Commissioner said the Member States were due to consider his report on the implementation of UNHRC resolution 25/1 on accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, including the findings of the comprehensive investigation mandated by the Council at this session.

The High Commissioner said he would present the report on the UN mandated investigation into the alleged human rights violations by Sri Lanka during the war at the 30th Session of UNHRC in September. “After serious reflection, and acting upon the suggestion of the investigation’s group of experts, I recommended that the presentation of this report be deferred until the 30th session of the Human Rights Council in September,” Zeid said. “This was based on my assessment of the changing context in Sri Lanka, the broad signals of cooperation I have received from the Government, and the possibility that new information will become available for the report,” he said. The new Government in Sri Lanka sought a delay of several months in the release of the UNHRC report on the investigation until the government had time to establish a mechanism to deal with the issue of accountability and reconciliation. Zeid told the Council that the Sri Lankan Government has agreed to invite the Special Rapporteur on Truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence, and the Working Group on enforced and involuntary disappearances, as well as himself, to visit Sri Lanka before the September session. During this period, OHCHR staff also plan to engage on the ground with all stakeholders to advance transitional justice issues, he noted. “This is a singular opportunity for the Government to lay the foundations in justice for lasting peace and reconciliation. I urge the authorities to consult deeply with the people, particularly victims, in order to design mechanisms that will work and not repeat the failures of the past,” the UN official stressed.

Maithri off to UK today; to hold talks with Cameron

President Maithripala Sirisena and First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena will leave for the United Kingdom on a three-day official visit, Saturday, March 7, 2015. President Sirisena, as the Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, will attend the Commonwealth Day Observances on the ninth.

Young people, schools, communities and civil society organisations on the second Monday in March every year celebrate Commonwealth Day across the Commonwealth. It provides an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of Commonwealth organisations. The theme for 2015 is ‘A Young Commonwealth’. The day is marked by a range of activities, including a multi-faith Observance at Westminster Abbey in London, UK, followed by a reception hosted by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma. Her Majesty the Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will attend the event. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting will also take place on the twelfth. In his three-day official visit to UK, President Sirisena is expected to hold talks with the British Prime Minister David Cameron. Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera and many senior government officials will be accompanying the President.