Minister proposes National structure to deal with HR issues

Rasika SOMARATHNA

Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe briefing regional groups and UN High Commissioner Louise Arbour in Geneva has proposed a National structure to deal with human rights issues while ruling out the possibility of a fully fledged OHCHR field presence in Sri Lanka.

He had further emphasized the need for a home-grown model which should be practicable and acceptable to the elected Government and the people of Sri Lanka.

He had ruled out the possibility of any supernational structure to address HR issues in Sri Lanka which has been an independent State for almost 60 years and a functioning democracy that has enjoyed universal adult franchise since 1931.

While explaining the Government's latest efforts regarding HR issues, the Minister pointed out that the country was facing a National Security challenge from one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations in the world.

The latest terrorist attacks in Colombo had amply demonstrated this fact with the intended target clearly being civilians, the Minister pointed out.

While inviting to continue further discussions with the Government in the hope of reaching an agreement, the Minister had further briefed the fora on the openness shown by the Government which provided unhindered access to UN officials on recent visits.

He further stated that this signified the commitment of the Government to the dialogue and to the co-operation with the international community.

The two-day event was attended by ambassadors from Asian Group, African Group, Eastern European Group, Latin American and Caribbean States, Non Alignment Movement, Organisation of the Islamic Conference and Western Union along with other groups.