UN Human Rights Chief expresses serious concerns on Sri Lanka

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet expressed severe concerns on the current state of human rights in the country and recently declared emergency regulations which she noted as “ very broad and may further expand the role of the military in civilian functions”.

“The corrosive impact militarisation and lack of accountability continue to have on fundamental rights, civic space, democratic institutions, social cohesion and sustainable development in Sri Lanka,” High Commissioner Bachelet said.

Presenting  an oral update to the .48th session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva today, High Commissioner Bachelet said her office will closely monitor application of emergency regulations which "are very broad and may further expand the role of the military in civilian functions."

"Regrettably, surveillance, intimidation, and judicial harassment of HRDs, journalists and families of the disappeared have not only continued but broadened to a wider spectrum of students, academics, medical professionals and religious leaders critical of government policies." she said while noting that peaceful protests and commemorations have been met with excessive use of force and the arrest and detention of demonstrators.

High Commissioner Bachlet also expressed concerns on recent developments in cases including the decision not to proceed with charges against former Navy Commander Wasantha Karranagoda in relation to abduction and disappearance of 11 students in Colombo during 2008-2009. 

Commenting on the Presidential pardon and release of former MP Duminda Silva who was handed the death sentence, High Commissioner Bachelet noted that the move risks eroding confidence in the rule of law and judicial process. She said she is deeply concerned about further deaths in police custody" and encounter killings and the "continuing reports of torture and ill treatment by law enforcement officials."

On High Commissioner Bachelet also expressed severe concerns on the government's continuous use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and longstanding detention of lawyer Hejaaz Hisbullah and poet Ahnaf Jazeem who were arrested over Easter Sunday attacks under PTA. 

She urged for an immediate moratorium of the use of the act and a clear timeline for its repeal or comprehensive review. 

Sri Lanka is included in the agendas of the 48th session of the UNHRC sittings and the country will be under scrutiny during the general debate scheduled for tomorrow. 

Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly’s 76th session, scheduled to open on September 14 in New York, United States. The general debate is to take place from September 21-27.