Darusman Report out of UNHRC sessions [May 29 2011]

The controversial Darusman Report is unlikely to be taken up at the UN Human Rights Council meeting which starts in Geneva tomorrow. Sri Lanka’s delegation, headed by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, Special Envoy for Human Rights of Sri Lanka, is in Geneva to participate in the 17th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, from May 30 - June 17.

Minister Samarasinghe is scheduled to address the opening session tomorrow afternoon, following the presentations of the annual report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General. The Minister will also appraise the UNHRC on progress Sri Lanka has made in the reconciliation process and the findings made so far by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the National Action Plan on the promotion and protection of the human rights.

The Lankan delegation has met heads of all regional groups to brief them on Sri Lanka’s reconciliation, resettlement and development process after eradicating terrorism. Informed sources said the UNHRC has not included the controversial findings of the Darusman Report in the agenda of the council sessions. Beside Minister Samarasinghe, the other members of the Sri Lankan delegation to the Geneva session include Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva and Attorney General Mohan Peiris and Head of Sri Lanka mission in the United Nations in Geneva, Kshenuka Seneviratne.