UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to visit Sri Lanka this week

UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahamed Shaheed is set to visit Sri Lanka from August 15 - 26, the UN Human Rights office said today (Aug 13).

According to the UN Human Rights office, the envoy is expected to identify the obstacles faced by the people while exercising their right to follow a religion or belief.

“I will look at how Sri Lanka promotes and protects the rights to freedom of religion or belief. The visit will be an opportunity for me to have an open exchange with the Government to try to gain a better understanding of how it upholds these rights,” Shaheed was quoted as saying in the release.

Shaheed is expected to examine the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the former UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, who visited the country in 2005.

During his 12-day mission, Shaheed will meet Government officials, representatives of religious or belief communities, civil society organisations and the UN.

Shaheed will present a report with his conclusions and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March next year.