Govt. refutes rights violation charges
Rasika Somarathna
COLOMBO: Refuting allegations that Sri Lanka was hit by a human
rights crisis that requires a monitoring mission from the UN, the
Government delegation at the sixth session of the Human Right Council in
Geneva emphasised that Sri Lanka was committed to investigate all Human
Right violations.
An event titled “The Human Right situation in Sri Lanka” was
organised on the sidelines of the sixth sessions of the Human Right
Council by the International Commission of Jurists and Human Rights
Watch on Monday for two hours, whereas Sri Lanka representatives were
only given around seven to nine minutes to respond to the panellists.
Reacting to the statements made by the panel, Director (Legal) SCOPP
Shirani Goonatilleke pointed out that it was unfortunate that the
Government was only given seven minutes to respond.
The Sri Lankan delegation had also pointed out that dubious
statistics and misinformation should not be bandied about adding that
this was contrary to the international standards.
Goonetilleke had pointed out that contrary to the unsubstantiated
allegations and propaganda of some INGOs and NGOs, the Government had
been maintaining a policy of open and constructive engagement with UN
Human Right mechanisms and other agencies from both civil society and
the international community.
The Representatives had also stated that contrary to reports from
these groups, there had been no forced resettlement of the IDPs which
had been attested to by the UNHCR.
Refuting allegations of starvation in Jaffna and Vanni, Goonetilleke
had pointed out that the Government had taken steps to ensure that the
essential supplies and services reached the areas without delay.
The delegation had also stated that during the last 10 years, 441
indictments had been forwarded by the AG in cases of disappearances.
Also regarding allegations of abductions and disappearances the
delegation had pointed out that there was a one man Commission to probe
such allegations.
They had also pointed out that the Government had routinely verified
these allegations where a substantial proportion of missing persons had
been traced.
The delegation had stated that there was scope for debate after the
visit by the Special Rapporteur, Special Representative and the High
Commissioner for Human Rights at the end of this year.
The members had emphasised that as a founder member of the Human
Right Council Sri Lanka would be ready to submit itself to the Universal
Periodic Review Mechanism of the Council for a comprehensive review of
its Human Rights obligations.
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