Int'l eminent persons invited for human rights probe

COLOMBO: Former Chief Justice of India Justice P. N. Bhagwati was yesterday invited to serve as the Chairman of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) which will assist the Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into alleged serious violations of human rights.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the establishment of this Commission on November 3.

In terms of the Presidential Warrant, a group of persons of international repute has to be appointed to ensure the transparency of investigations and inquiries of the Commission, a release from the President Office said yesterday.

Accordingly, on the President's directive and the agreement of the individual members of serve on the IIGEP, four persons of eminence including Justice Bhagwati were yesterday invited to serve as members of the IIGEP.

Dr. Kamal Hossai, nominee of United Nations High Commission for Human Rights; Marzuiki Darusman, Chairperson/National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia, nominated by International Parliamentary Union, and Prof. Yozo Yokota - Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan, nominated by the Government of Japan have been invited to serve on the Committee.

Letters of invitations will be sent to the other members of the IIGEP once nominations are received from the respective countries.