COLOMBO – The Core Group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has expressed regret, not only over the government’s failure to address key issues highlighted in resolution 46/1, but also a number of concerning new developments.
In a statement issued on behalf of Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro and the UK, at the ongoing 47th session of the UNHRC, the Core Group on Sri Lanka said resolution 46/1 had called upon the Sri Lankan government to address the harmful legacies of war and to protect human rights, including for those from religious minorities, and regretted the lack of progress on these issues.
The Group also expressed concern over a number of concerning developments, noting that the Sri Lankan government has attempted to dismiss a number of emblematic cases and to initiate criminal proceedings against individuals pursuing some of these cases. “This counters the Council’s call for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations,” the statement said, calling for former CID director Shani Abeysekera’s safety to be ensured.
Expressing deep concerns about the ongoing use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the recent intention to introduce a rehabilitation process lacking adequate judicial oversight, the Group noted human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah, and poet and teacher Ahnaf Jazeem, remain detained without trial, and highlighted further arrests under the Act have continued, including among minority communities and the political opposition,
“We remain concerned about the restrictions on memorialization,” the Group said, joining the Bar Association of Sri Lanka in requesting independent and impartial investigations into recent deaths in police custody
The Core Group also expressed concern over appointments to the Office on Missing Persons, reiterating the importance of ensuring independent and credible institutions to achieve justice, and encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to cooperate with the Council and OHCHR in relation to resolution 46/1, stating, “We stand ready to support this.”
-ENCL