UNHRC chief says SL’s economic crisis has restricted access to fundamental rights; corruption also a concern

In his global update to the UN Human Rights Council, Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said today that debilitating debt, and economic crisis, have sharply restricted people's access to fundamental economic and social rights.

He was addressing the council session that focused on a number of situations that are of particular concern.

On Sri Lanka, he said:
"Debilitating debt and economic crisis have sharply restricted people's access to fundamental economic and social rights. Recovery policies will need to redress inequalities and invest in social protections and other levers of economic resilience. 

"They should also tackle underlying issues of corruption, transparency and accountability in governance, as well as entrenched impunity. The reliance on draconian security laws, as well as the harassment and surveillance of civil society and victims, must end. 

"My Office remains committed to supporting a genuine and comprehensive approach to transitional justice."