Lanka's UPR session on Nov. 1

by Manjula Fernando

Over 50 countries have registered to make observations at Sri Lanka's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on November 1 in Geneva when the country's human rights situation is taken up for discussion.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, a team led by Special Envoy on Human Rights, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe will represent Sri Lanka at the UPR and 52 parties are expected to share their views on the country's human rights situation once the floor opens for observer comments.

The Sri Lankan team comprises Justice Ministry Secretary Kamalini De Silva, Monitoring MP for External Affairs Sajin Vaas Goonewardena, two senior officials from the MEA and a senior official from the Attorney-General's Department.

Sri Lanka is armed with a comprehensive report detailing the progress of implementing the LLRC recommendations, with emphasis on the reintegration of ex-cadre, resettlement and the ongoing efforts for comprehensive reconciliation among other issues on which the international community has sought clarification, the spokesperson said.

The second circle of the UPR began in May 2012 and Sri Lanka is among the first countries to face its second review after the first UPR in 2008.

The Universal Periodic Review is a process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. It was introduced by the UN Human Rights Council in 2007 on the basis of equal treatment for all Member States of the United Nations.

At the working group meeting on November 1, Sri Lanka will present its report and speak for 70 minutes before the other countries make their observations, recommendations and seek clarifications.

On November 5, a country report prepared by rapporteurs (a Troika led by India) in consultation with Sri Lanka, outlining action for the next four years for an improved HR set-up, will be adopted.