Don’t Endanger Asylum Seekers: UNHCR
By Fathima Razik-Sunday, July 20, 2014
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said that, though not a signatory to the 1951
Refugee Convention, Sri Lanka is bound to observe and respect the principle of non-refoulement under international customary law, which prohibits sending asylum-seekers or refugees to places where their lives and freedoms would be in danger.
UNHCR works with the government to try and identify the solution in accordance with international refugee law and standards.
Responding to a question posed by The Sunday Leader on the assurance given to Pakistan and Afghanistan asylum seekers in Sri Lanka with regard to their protection, a UNHCR spokesperson said they would, within their mandate and available resources, ensure the protection of asylum seekers and refugees, and added that ensuring their protection is also the responsibility of the host country.
The UNHCR also believes that the government of Sri Lanka will assist UNHCR in finding a sustainable solution to the issue that would be on par with international refugee protection standards and norms. The spokesperson also said in response to a question on the violation of the rights of the asylum seekers as they are registered with the UNHCR, that if they are deported, it would be a violation of their rights
OHCHR To Monitor Developments
Sunday, July 20, 2014The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) says it is monitoring the latest developments in Sri Lanka after President Mahinda Rajapaksa had expanded the mandate of the Missing Persons Commission.
OHCHR spokesperson Rupert Colville told The Sunday Leader that OHCHR has noted the Sri Lankan government’s announcement that it is expanding the mandate of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Disappearances to investigate matters related to the loss of civilian life in the final stages of the armed conflict.
“While the Office encourages the establishment of domestic mechanisms to investigate grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties, it is essential that such bodies meet internationally-recognized standards for undertaking credible, independent and impartial investigations, including explicit guarantees and measures to ensure that anyone who may wish to provide information will not face any threats or reprisals,” Colville said.
He said OHCHR will monitor the developments closely with a view to assessing that the investigations meet international standards, as part of its mandate under UN Human Rights Council Resolution 28/1.(E.R)
