To advise on HR issues during conflict:

UNsg appoints expert panel

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday appointed a panel of experts to advise him on accountability issues relating to alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka that ended last year, said a press release issued by the UN Information Centre, Colombo.

The three-member panel will advise Ban Ki-moon on implementing the commitment on human rights accountability made in the Joint Statement issued by the Secretary-General and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa after the UN chief visited the country in May 2009.

Indonesia's Marzuki Darusman will serve as the chair of the panel, and the other two members are Yasmin Sooka of South Africa and Steven Ratner of the United States. The panel will wrap up its responsibilities within four months of starting work.

"It will be available as a resource to Sri Lankan authorities should they wish to avail themselves of its expertise in implementing the commitment. In the conduct of its mandate, the panel hopes to cooperate with concerned officials in Sri Lanka," said a statement issued by the UNSG's spokesperson.

It stressed that the UNSG "remains convinced that accountability is an essential foundation for durable peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. Through the panel, the Secretary-General expects to enable the UN to make a constructive contribution in this regard."