Group of Intl’ HR organizations flag concerns before update on SL at HRC

A group of International Human Rights Organization in a letter addressed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has raised concerns regarding Sri Lanka’s compliance with the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution.

The letter commends the government’s progress, calling it plentiful but ‘not befitting expecatations outlined in your HRC report.’

“There have been mixed signals on the government’s commitments made through the October resolution, at the highest level of the government. There have been distressing reports on the ongoing use of arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) instead of the regular criminal code.

The PTA is a draconian law consistently condemned by UN bodies and officials and which the government had pledged to repeal as part of its October commitment. Repealing the PTA and dealing with the outstanding cases of those still detained under the law should be a foremost priority,” the letter denotes.

Several International Human Rights Organizations such as the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Franciscans International, Human Rights Watch, International Commission of Jurists, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) and International Service for Human Rights are signatory to the letter.

The damning letter comes just days before the UN HRC Chief is to deliver an oral update pertaining to Sri Lanka’s compliance with the previously mentioned resolution on June 29.

“Member states of the Council have indicated that their engagement with the Sri Lankan government will be guided by your oral update on the implementation of the October Council resolution on Sri Lanka.

This expectation has been heightened by your and your staff’s visits to Sri Lanka and those of the Special Procedures.

Thus, we believe it is crucial for your oral update to identify areas where progress has been made, as well as areas where there is a lack of progress and incorporate clear benchmarks that include immediately achievable steps.” The letter read.