Rights Group welcomes UN Resolution to keep pressure on Sri Lanka

We look to your continued support – Sri Lankan Government

(March 24, 2017, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) The UK based rights group, Freedom from Torture welcomed today’s decision by the UN Human Rights Council to keep the human rights situation in Sri Lanka under review for a further two years. The resolution adopted today with the support of the Sri Lankan government recognises the need to keep pressure on the government to fully deliver the commitment they previously made on reconciliation, accountability and human rights.

Tania Baldwin-Pask, head of international advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said:

“The government of Sri Lanka has given the international community important commitments to end impunity, deliver justice and build institutions to uphold human rights. The Human Rights Council’s decision to keep the human rights situation under scrutiny helps maintain pressure on the government to fulfil its promises.

“Torture survivors have told us that they believe long-term peace is only achievable if the government brings the perpetrators of human rights abuses, including torturers, to justice. We look to the government of Sri Lanka to use their political leadership to put in place a strategy to deliver real progress on accountability, transitional justice and reform in areas such as the security sector in order to dismantle the structures that allow torture and other abuses to continue happening”.

In 2016, Sri Lanka was the top country of origin for torture survivors referred to Freedom from Torture for clinical services and medico-legal reports for the fifth consecutive year. These referrals include survivors of torture who have been detained since the current government took office in January 2015.

Freedom from Torture has also identified a significant number of people who report being tortured on their return to Sri Lanka from the UK. In his report to the Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights called on states to ensure that Tamils who have suffered torture and other violations are not returned to Sri Lanka until relevant guarantees are in place to ensure that they will not be subject to further violations.

The human rights situation in Sri Lanka has been reviewed recently by a number of independent experts and bodies at the UN. These include the Special Rapporteur on torture who visited the country in 2016 and concluded that “a culture of torture persists”. The Committee against Torture also reviewed in November 2016 and expressed its concern at allegations of the routine use of torture.

Meanwhile in the statement made by Harsha De Silva, MP., Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka says, “We deeply appreciate the understanding shown by all, and support for Sri Lanka’s processes for promoting reconciliation, justice, and human rights, towards enduring peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans.”

We reproduced below the complete statement issued by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva

Adoption of the Resolution A/HRC/34/L.1 ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’

Mr. President,

I wish to thank all the members of this Council and the Observer States for the support that they have extended for the adoption of Resolution A/HRC/34/L.1 titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’, by consensus.
We deeply appreciate the understanding shown by all, and support for Sri Lanka’s processes for promoting reconciliation, justice, and human rights, towards enduring peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans.

On January 8th 2015, we made a promise to our people that we will engage and work with all stakeholders including our friends and partners, to uphold human rights, establish rule of law, end impunity, strengthen democracy and good governance, and create the stability and peace required in our country for the prosperity of all our people. We thank the international community for their continued support in this journey. We thank them for placing their faith in our government, and our people, and for walking with us at our side, as we strive to establish ‘Sri Lankan Government-led processes’ with international assistance, engagement and support for the benefit of all our citizens, without discrimination.

We look to your continued support. We also look to the continued support of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and his Office.