UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture to visit Sri Lanka in April

The United Nations Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture is set to carry out its first visit to Sri Lanka from April 2 -12 .

The four-member delegation will meet government officials and hold discussions with relevant ministries, as well as meeting with the Human Rights Commission and civil society organisations, a statement form OHCHR said.

The committee's talks in Colombo will focus on advising and assisting the Sri Lankan authorities regarding measures to be taken to be in compliance with the obligations contained in the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture.

 "During our visit we will be exploring the steps Sri Lanka needs to take to effectively prevent torture and ill-treatment of people deprived of their liberty,” said Victor Zaharia, who will head the delegation was quoted as saying in the statement.

“We will also advise the authorities on the full implementation of their treaty obligations, including how they can best establish a national independent body to visit places of detention.”

The delegation will be composed of Victor Zaharia, Head of Delegation (Republic of Moldova), Satyabhooshun Gupt Domah (Mauritius), Petros Michaelides (Cyprus), and June Lopez (Philippines).