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Lanka set to face HR salvos in Geneva
A high-level Sri Lanka delegation is set to face questions from several countries when the UN Human Rights Council reviews Sri Lanka’s human rights record in Geneva on Thursday. This is under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a mechanism where all 193 member countries of the UN are scrutinised by Working Groups every four or five years.
Sri Lanka’s delegation to the event is led by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, the President’s special envoy for human rights issues. Others in the delegation are External Affairs Ministry monitoring MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, Justice Ministry Secretary Kamalini de Silva, Cabine Legal Advisor Mohan Peiris, Attorney General, Palitha Fernando and officials from his department and the EAM.
As is the standard practice, besides making speeches, member countries are able to post questions on human rights issues for response by member countries. These questions as well as the entire proceedings on Thursday will be formulated into a report by a troika drawn by lots. Those selected are India (chairperson), Benin and Spain. This report will be placed before the UNHRC Working Group on November 5 for scrutiny.
The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, China, Netherlands, Sweden and Pakistan are among the countries that have posed questions.
Issues of reducing the military presence in the north, conduct of the Northern Provincial Council elections, steps taken by the government to address the issue of alleged sexual violence against women in the north, progress on investigations on alleged human rights violations during the conflict in the north and the progress of investigations on cases of disappearances are among the questions posed.
The United States is seeking clarification for the long delay in conducting the Northern Provincial Council elections and whether the government could move up the date from September 2013.
The status of the Witness and Victim Protection Bill that the Government committed to passing during the 2008 UPR first cycle, the status of the investigations into the Channel 4 video, the killing of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006, the execution of 17 ACF aid workers in Mutur in August 2006 and the disappearance of cartoonist Prageeth Ekneligoda are among the issues raised by the US.
The US also has questioned as to why three years after the end of the war, there is continued intolerance for and threats against journalists, NGOs and individuals who criticise the Government.
China has called on Sri Lanka to elaborate on the measures taken to develop the former conflict-affected areas and on steps that have been taken by the government to safeguard the language rights of all communities, including in education and administration.
Canada has questioned Sri Lanka as to when the Government of Sri Lanka will address accountability issues through a formal independent process of investigation of alleged violations of international humanitarian law and human rights during the civil conflict.
The progress on the implementation of Recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission is another question posed by Canada.
The Netherlands has queried as to how the Government relates the commitment given to ensure safety of media institutions and personnel to instances of imposing restrictions and banning of websites.
The United Kingdom has called for an update on progress made by the court of inquiry appointed by the Sri Lankan Army to investigate allegations of war crimes.
The Sri Lankan Government has already submitted its National Report in which it spells out details of measures taken to implement the Action Plan to implement some of the LLRC recommendations, restore civil administration in the North and constitutional and legislative reforms.
Separate reports have been submitted by 46 stakeholders including right groups and non-governmental organisations and by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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