Top UN rights official encouraged by Sri Lanka’s progress, awaits an invitation to visit

A top UN right official says he is encouraged by the Sri Lankan government’s progress on human rights and he is awaiting Sri Lanka’s invitation to visit the island nation.

Christof  Heyns, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary Executions,  said that he has requested permission to visit Sri Lanka and is waiting for the approval from the Sri Lankan government.

“They have accepted some of the other mandates but not my mandate, but I have a standing request to the government to visit Sri Lanka”, he said.

The official has noted that there were encouraging signs that Sri Lanka will deal with human rights concerns related to the war but the new government was not willing to go all the way, PTI said in a report.

When carrying out his mandate in 2015, Heyns said Sri Lanka stands out at its most defining moment.

He noted that it is still early  and although it is not certain how Sri Lanka will progress in addressing human rights concerns, it is encouraging that the process had gone as far as it had.

“Accountability is the central point in protecting the right to life and I am encouraged by the progress made in Sri Lanka;  the government has been receptive,” Heyns said.

According to the UN Human Rights Council resolution of 2014, Sri Lanka is expected to allow visits by UN rapporteurs.