Human Rights Commission facing large backlog of cases

COLOMBO: A large backlog of cases amounting to 10,000 which has been accumulating is the immediate problem faced by the Human Rights Commission, says Chairman Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Deshamanya Justice P. Ramanathan.

The refusal to comply by the recommendations of the Commission by some Government agencies administrative authorities and statutory bodies is another, he said.

There is also the refusal of some governmental agencies, administrative authorities and statutory bodies to comply with the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission. The Commission is concerned with the fact that inquiries of several complaints have not started or delays in concluding the inquiry.

The Commission will soon be providing methods for expeditious disposal, he added. With regard to the question of non-compliance of the Commission's recommendations, it is proposed that the Commission will seek an audience with the President and suggest that the President issue a presidential mandatory order which is compulsory.

The Commission is also examining the amendments to existing laws to enforce the recommendations, the Chairman said.

The Commission is proactive and make every endeavour expeditiously to dispose of individual complaints of violation of their fundamental rights, he said.