Scepticism Over Latest Probe

• Analysts fear three experts’ advice may end like IIEGP

By Easwaran Rutnam-Sunday, July 20, 2014

Sir Desmond de Silva, Prof David Crane and Sir Geoffrey Nice

The Government announcement last week that the mandate of the Presidential Commission on missing persons had been expanded to investigate civilian deaths during the war and the appointment of three internationally acclaimed experts to advice the commission came as a surprise to many. Some fear if the advice of the three prominent experts are highly critical then they may just end up in the bin like the International Independent Eminent Group of Persons (IIEGP) in 2008.

Scepticism Over Latest Probe by Maria Anderson

Rape In Peace (Immunity)

By Charles Sarvan -July 20, 2014 

Charles Sarvan

Qadri Ismail, in his ‘Responding to Aluthgama‘ (Groundviews, 10 July 2014) is not writing about Tamils but about the vicious (state-countenanced, if not instigated) attack on Muslims by fanatical Buddhists. Yet passing comments can be revelatory and significant. I quote: “…during and after the war, the Sri Lankan military has systematically raped Tamil women – and, yes, even men – mostly in the north. Not occasionally or in a sudden fit of insanity. Systematically.” (For the full article, click here )

18 July 2014. The media today carries reports that two Tamils girls, aged 10 and 11, were raped in Jaffna by a Sinhalese sailor. The children are receiving treatment in hospital.

Other “incidents” involving adults pass unrecorded for several reasons. A complaint can be made only to the army who are, invariably, the perpetrators: sheep complaining to foxes and wolves about attacks by foxes and wolves. This, in turn, results in bullying and with punishment of different kinds. Why complain when there is no hope of justice and every possibility of further harm? Then there is the factor of shame, particularly in what is a “traditional” society: rape is often simply not talked about, much less reported.

But rape is a form of torture. It has been found that those who have been tortured, or have undergone a similar extreme experience, never recover. They never regain their former self, and remain for ever tortured or raped. In short, what was a single happening is, in fact, life-long.

Rape has both physical and psychological effects, among the latter are:-

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – feelings of severe anxiety and stress

Depression

Flashbacks – memories of rape as if it is taking place again

Personality disorder

Sleep disorders

Guilt and shame

Distrust of others; uneasy in everyday social situations

Sudden anger

Feelings of personal powerlessness – victims feel the rapist robbed them of control over their bodies

Suicide or attempted suicide

In Sri Lanka, in the areas occupied by the army – more in the North than in the East – a whole population has been delivered to security personnel to do what they will with them. Even Sinhalese civilians can act as they please vis-à-vis the Tamils knowing that the army and the police are with them.

This state of affairs is not dramatic, such as the shooting down of a Malaysian plane or the onslaught on Gaza, and so the world is unaware and, being unaware, unheeding.  Read More

MaRa’s roller coaster off the rails: Demented and dejected MaRa in a flat spin
(Lanka-e-News-19.July.2014, 11.30PM) Medamulana MaRa whose top was spinning in accord with his direction at Tangalle coast, Kollupitiya coast, Wellimulli Waikal coast and at Geneva has now begun to spin in the opposite direction and turned hostile so much so that , MaRa is now in a flat spin knowing not even his bearings , owing to the frequent insanity fits seizing him , according to well informed sources within the Temple trees itself. In short his roller coaster of inordinate power and evil lust for cheap popularity is off the rails.

One incident that took place at the discussion with the participation of media chiefs to decide how the media should conduct itself at the next Presidential election illustrated this well and truly. 

Those who took part in the MaRa campaign earlier too were present. Though most of them were in the dark about MaRa’s latest doings and undoing , they were there to show their faces , and were anticipating plans for the present media and about its future usage to be discussed with a lot of noise and fuss, but to their consternation MaRa just told one thing over and over again : “Publish as much news and frighten the opposition. That is all is needed. Hence , publish that our campaign requires millions and millions of dollars after making all kinds of calculations. Carry on a digital campaign. Like talking big about the coming of the 3 D, and in the way drawings are done in the sky by laser, with a view to frightening and daunting the opposition via the publicity,’ MaRa asserted.

‘It is only in the bygone days , people were convinced based on our spending. Even now that is a great thing. Alarm them as much as possible,’ MaRa went on rattling. The listeners however being not as moronic as MaRa, had told among themselves when dispersing , Lokka’s advice are out of sense and out of point.

MaRa’s present imbecility and unhinged mental state surfaced again at the Cabinet meeting. Mohan Lal Grero who is running a chain of International schools, and holding an education minister post tabled a strange proposal. That is admitting the GCE adv. Level students of international schools into government schools and teaching them.

There is an underlying sinister selfish motive in the topsy turvy proposal: among the so called flourishing International schools there has arisen a dearth of teachers for the GCE adv. Level. Lal Grero who is characterized by opportunistic and self centered aims and ambitions like others in MaRa’s cabinet must be thinking of achieving his foulest goals via this self fattening scheme. His aims notwithstanding , the other education Minister Bandula Gunawardena opposed this : he said , this will be unjust because ,when the international students enter government schools where students are receiving free education , it will be again contributing towards luxury schools in the town, whereby it will multiply the issues.

It was Mahinda Rajapakse and Basil Rajapakse the duo ,the self proclaimed patriots who started their harangue in favor of Grero without allowing Bandula to utter a word. At that juncture Maithripala Sirisena and Champika took the side of Bandula resulting in an exchange of words between Champika and Mahinda Rajapakse.

At this stage , MaRa whose mind has been influenced by somebody sneaking to him on Champika that the latter is promoting Karu Jayasuriya as the common candidate, started his tirade against Champika angrily scolding the latter .MaRa in a fit of rage yelled out ‘everybody is trying to stab me in the back. Now , I don’t have the Tamil votes, nor the Muslim votes .These blokes are trying to deprive me of the Sinhala Buddhist votes too. Those who are seeking to promote Karu are also here.

If that is the case , Karu’s son in law cannot be in the Cabinet. If Naveen does not resign , I shall sack him.’ MaRa screamed like a mad man in the street. Naveen was not present at that Cabinet meeting.

After this mad as a hatter behavior of MaRa stemming partly from his senility and mainly insanity , the Lanka e news reporters from Temple Trees stated , ‘even before the elections ,if the conduct is this eccentric and stupid, it is impossible to imagine what would happen if the election is lost.’

The third incident revolves around the Muhurat of a film (starting day of a shooting of a film) attended by Medamulana MaRa.

Generally , a President of a country does not attend a simple event such as a muhurat or the premiere of a film because he has more important and onerous duties to discharge towards the people , unless of course he is a President who is like school children looking for idle amusement because he has nothing better to do. No matter what our President Rajapakse attended this starting day of the film directed by Nilendra Deshapriya where Bandula Gunawardena has invested monies.

MaRa on that occasion addressed the artistes , but not in a manner that was compatible with the occasion , he began saying ‘I have not committed murder. I have not robbed,’ and continued to talk unadulterated nonsense while behaving truly like a lunatic and criminal .

In short while Jackson Anthony who was present there was giving himself airs and graces of a President , MaRa was conducting himself like Anthony C. Perera. (former comedian in the Sinhala film)

MaRa who is like a rabies bitten dog in view of the elections is creeping in everywhere regardless of whether they have any relevance to elections or not. At Anuradhapura , when he attended a ‘Pichcha mal’ pooja (religious offering) , he was straying all over into where there are crowds and behaved like a dog licking them and using the same tongue to make signals to vote for him. It s learnt that the President has made this a favorite hobby –mingling with people and bending into two before them for obvious reasons. If we are to elaborate on the details of the pissu (crazed) conduct of MaRa at Pichcha mal pooja , this article will become insensibly long . In any case , based on the series of incidents during the recent past ,the bottom line is MaRa is in a flat spin and , as MaRa has lost his mind so his roller coaster is off the rails.

UN Team On SL to Have Sittings At 3 Places Overseas

Sunday, 20 July 2014

The UN team, which has been put together to investigate allegations of human rights violations and war crimes against the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), will be holding hearings in New York, Geneva and Bangkok, Express news service of India said.

The team constituted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), would of course seek permission to hold sittings in Sri Lanka. But it is unlikely to get it as the Lankan government has rejected any international probe.

Sources said that Tamil expatriates and Lankan Tamil rights groups which are very active in North America, Europe and Australia, would testify at New York, Geneva and Bangkok. Tamils living in Lanka would be interacting through telephone, video conferencing and skype. Rights groups in Lanka might organise such interactions besides travelling abroad to testify.

There is no law in Sri Lanka to bar any citizen from testifying before a UN body, but government ministers have publicly warned that those bad mouthing Lanka at the UN inquiry would be dealt with. In the absence of a witness protection law, witnesses could be subjected to intimidation as has been the case in Lanka so far. However, as the proceedings of the Lankan government’s own Disappearances Commission show, witnesses could brave  threats and testify fearlessly.

To protect witnesses against intimidation by pro-government groups, the UN team might keep their identities secret for 20 years as the earlier Darusman panel on Lanka did.

But the Lankan government could challenge the veracity of the testimonies used by the UN team on the grounds that the identities of the witnesses are shrouded mystery, as indeed it did in the case of the stinging Darusman report earlier. To counter the UN investigation, the Lankan government has started its own investigation into the charges of rights violations and war crimes by expanding the mandate of the existing Disappearances Commission. The UN and Lankan commissions would be working contemporaneously. But while the UN commission would not be able to get many Lankan Tamils resident in Lanka’s war affected areas to testify, most of those testifying before the Lankan panel would be living in the war affected parts of the island. The Lankan panel’s report is therefore likely to have greater credibility. This could provide Colombo with a good instrument to discredit the UN investigation.

Asked if the foreign advisors to the Lankan panel (Sir Desmond de Silva, Sir Geoffrey Nice, and Prof David Crane, could be counted upon to give ‘government-friendly” advice, a source said that the terms of appointment had clearly stated that they shall tender advice only when the panel seeks their advice. Also, President Rajapaksa has reserved the right to appoint more advisors.

“The Island” daily pointed out on Saturday, that while the Lankan government has revealed the composition of its panel, the UN OHCHR has not revealed the composition of its panel fully. The latter has only revealed the name of the Coordinator and those of three experts or advisors. Thus, the Lankan government seems to be more transparent. Colombo might well ask how the UN panel could be taken seriously when its composition is shrouded in mystery.

The UN panel will have very little time to do its work. lt will have to gather fresh evidence (from four different places in the world), write the report, send it to the Lankan government for its comments, and submit the final draft report by January so that it could be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015.

The Lankan panel, on the other hand, has a less cumbersome and time consuming procedure. (TNIE)

No National Justice Without International Pressure

| by Tisaranee Gunasekara

“Anoint a villain and he will prick you.”

Rabelais

( July 20, 2014, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The punishment might not be commensurate with the crimes – murder and gang rape. The sentence might get commuted; there might be an outright presidential pardon; an appeal might produce a more unjust outcome.

No National Justice Without International Pressure by Maria Anderson

Unlucky 13 brings luck to the police : attempted murder on BASL President –police take refuge under 13
(Lanka-e-News-20.July.2014, 7.30PM) Sad to reveal, in keeping with the prevailing raging lawlessness in the country , even after 5 days have elapsed, no breakthrough has been made in regard to the suspects who recently trailed Upul Jayasuriya , the President of the Bar association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in broad daylight in the capital city of Colombo . Upul Jayasuriya was followed by unidentified motor cyclists who were later joined by those in a three wheeler .

In this connection police had a most strange ‘fairy tale’ to relate . The Colombo crime investigation division (CCD) stated , the registration numbers WPUB 4072 and 207- 5314 of the motor bike and the three wheeler respectively have not been registered with the motor vehicle registration department (RMV) . The most perplexing question is , then how come the numbers preceding and succeeding the numbers of both these vehicles have been registered with the RMV, but not the numbers of these vehicles in question. The CCD clever at making and breaking the law had a most ludicrous answer to furnish : it stated since the digits of these numbers of each of these vehicles when added totals to 13 (unlucky), those numbers were not registered. 

The worst part ? the police that were aware these numbers of the two vehicles have not been registered , have looked the other way when two vehicles with same fake numbers of which the police were fully aware were roaming in the high security zone.

The motor cycle that was following Upul Jayasuriya had commenced its pursuit from a restaurant near Galadhari hotel, that is just a stone's throw distance from the President's palace . Later the motorcycle and the three wheeler that were hovering around Jayasuriya's office was on Flower road , just a stone's throw away from the Prime Minister's office. It is also significant to note that all these areas are within the high security zone , and Gota’s CCTV cameras have been installed there. Yet the police had still not been able to make a breakthrough in its investigations until today even after 5 days have elapsed. 

Meanwhile the reports received by Lanka e news inside information division , convey a different picture : These numbers are used by M.O.D. ( Defense Ministry intelligence division ) ,and the two riders on the motor cycle were from the intelligence division of the forces who were entrusted with the contract to assassinate Upul Jayasuriya.

Incidentally , this attempt to murder Jayasuriya , bears all the signs that characterized the murders committed in the past by the murder squad that operated under Gotabaya Rajapakse. None of those cold blooded crimes were committed after barging into houses or offices. All those murders and abductions were done by laying in wait for the victim on the road , and seizing them when alone.

It is significant that this latest stalking was done on the day Upul Jayasuriya's driver fell sick. Usually , on the days his driver is indisposed , Jayasuriya drives the vehicle himself. Fortunately for Jayasuriya on that day of attempted murder, Jayasuriya had been having another person with him as a consort. 

SRI LANKA: One verdict as against a culture of savagery

by Kishali pinto jayawardena-July 20, 2014

The Government’s boast this week that the Colombo High Court’s conviction of a local authority chairman and three of his henchmen for the 2012 Christmas Eve murder of a British tourist and the brutal rape of his girlfriend ‘proves’ the independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary is grossly inappropriate in the context of the case.

Coyly protesting innocence

SRI LANKA One Verdict as Against a Culture of Savagery by Maria Anderson

The Tangalle verdict

Editorial-July 19, 2014, 6:30 pm 

There will undoubtedly be a sense of satisfaction among most that those responsible for the murder of a British national and the rape of his girl friend at a hotel in Tangalle on Christmas Eve three years ago have got their just desserts. The main accused was the Chairman of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha and readers may remember how he was driven in a prison’s vehicle from remand custody to chair meetings of that local body. It took a long time for indictment to be served on the accused and the case was properly transferred to the Colombo High Court to ensure that there were no attempts to influence witnesses and other malfeasances that could not have been ruled out had the trial taken place in Tangalle. The matter is by no means closed and appeal procedures, to which the accused are entitled, will no doubt follow. The victim’s brother had also expressed the possibility of early release. Considering this country’s track record in matters concerning influential persons who have been convicted of grave crime and jailed, we are sad to say that anything is possible.

There was a lot of pressure exerted by the British government on behalf of the victim who was a national of that country. His local MP came here and mounted a campaign on behalf of his constituent, no doubt gaining some political mileage for himself as a result of his efforts. A government minister is on record saying that the guilty verdict was an endorsement of judicial independence here as well as the efficiency with which the investigation and the prosecution had been conducted. He is not wrong in his assessment that detractors of the government are all too willing to believe that ruling party functionaries are above the law. But such conclusions, we might add, have often been reached on evidence on the ground. There is good reason for us to be proud of the professionalism demonstrated by the various responsible authorities and more so about the fact that witnesses courageously testified on facts in their possession. It is sad but true that too often people tend to duck giving evidence in court due to the inconvenience of protracted procedures and the rastiadu that attending court inevitably involves. Fortunately that did not happen in this case and modern forensic procedures, including DNA technology, were used to obtain convictions.

With the Uva Provincial Council election on the horizon, it will be useful for political parties to reflect on the kind of candidates they run for election. Many local and provincial politicians of all parties, as well as some national politicians, have time and again conclusively demonstrated that they are bad hats, totally unsuitable for elective office. Yet they, and sometimes their progeny, are nominated by the political parties whose main interest, understandably, is to field candidates who can win. It is easy to say that ``if the electors want them, let them have them.’’ Have we not been told virtually ad nauseam that people get the government they deserve? Yet it is not unreasonable for the electorate, or at least an influential segment, to do whatever they can to ensure that rank undesirables are kept out of candidate lists of all parties. Whether they will succeed in such an endeavour is another matter. Sadly there is insufficient public opinion on such matters of importance. Men and women of intelligence, integrity and ability who once adorned our legislature are now history. Politics today is a game that offers spoils undreamed of in a bygone era and such spoils inevitably attract undesirables. That is true not only of Sri Lanka but of most countries in the world.

The incident at Tangalle happened at a time when Sri Lanka was investing hugely in the tourism industry. Britain is one of the major generators of tourist traffic into this country and the murder and rape of their nationals, widely publicized in the UK, no doubt caused people planning to visit Sri Lanka to reconsider their holiday destinations. We are told that there have been many cancellations from the Middle East with visitors who intended holidaying here changing their minds post-Aluthgama. There are leaders who have gone on public record describing those events as relatively minor and had been quickly brought under control. They are quick to remember that this was not the case in July 1983 when Sri Lanka’s image was blackened in the eyes of the world. That assessment cannot be faulted and we would agree that the recent rioting was quickly contained. However there were three killings and extensive property damage. There is no escaping the reality that there was a policing failure and pre-emptive action was woefully lacking. No doubt we learn from experience and it is to be hoped that those mistakes will not be repeated. But undesirable communal tensions, some perhaps simmering over time, have been created and it is essential that those who would stoke such fires are given short shrift.

Khuram’s brother glad about verdict, will keep watch 

by Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

 July 20, 2014 
British national, Naseer Shaikh speaking with great sadness over the murder of his brother, Khuram Shaikh, in Tangalle two and half years ago, says he has come to terms with the 20 years of rigorous imprisonment imposed on the four accused by the Colombo High Court, on Friday. However, he said there is no closure of the case since he knows the convicts will file an appeal in 14 days and he would be watching the development closely.
Naseer who had been to Sri Lanka five times, to attend the trial, says he 'had no clue' what the verdict would be. "The verdict is satisfactory in the sense I did not really have all the answers during the full hearing from the day trial began 3 ½ months ago," he said.
 
Having the notion that it is difficult to prejudge what the verdict would be, although it was clearly a tragic incident with a female involved, he said "We expected the case to have all the findings serious enough to merit conviction and that has been there Friday."
 
He added, "It's a first degree murder but it isdifficult to say if the verdict was satisfactory or not. The case needs all findings for delivering judgement."
 
"There is no closure, I understand and it is not going to happen soon. I see my life and my whole family and this verdict certainly gives us a token of peace. I had not been there when the murder took place but for this case I devoted my time to understand what really happened to my brother and the element of acceptance is there now. Today this completion will allow me to do that," Naseer stressed.
 
He admitted that although some of the suspects were arrested quickly, there was a delay. "It really took two years to finally see justice done. That was 'kicked into the system' within four months with the campaign that was carried out. "In the judicial system of Sri Lanka there are many good things to be seen in good light. I don't want to compare my brother's case with any other case."
 
Naseer on verdict
Naseer said initially he did not want to read the news on how his brother was murdered. "I avoided reading it because it was my brother who had been brutally killed. Back in the UK, a student was shot and killed and it was on the Boxing Day (the day after Khuram's murder) but the trial ended in six months. That is when I decided to carry the campaign and I must say 2 ½ years was a reasonable time to end my brothers case. Three and a half months of trial and then the verdict, and it was quick enough, I think, " Naseer quipped.
 
Commenting on Victoria, Khuram's partner, Naseer said that she had been quiet and they all bear in mind that she was involved in that bloody night and the trauma she underwent was immense. "It's difficult for her. But she came out for Khuram, to see that justice prevailed. She is moving on and she needs to really build her life with lots of expectations. We are with her helping her to rebuild her life," he added.
When asked if he expected the sentence of 20 years RI, Naseer said he had absolutely no idea. "Honestly, as the saying goes 'we cannot see the wood for the trees', I had no clue. I had one goal and that was to see that the trial goes on and a verdict is derived."
 
Naseer also admitted that if it wasn't a politician behind the crime, the case would have been different altogether. "We thought since he was a politician there was a 'hindrance' for the case. If not the case would have been in a better position and very quicker and that it would have changed the whole dynamics of the case."
Khuram's Constituent MP. Simon Danczuk, warned the government to take the case seriously and also pointed the delay to Prime Minister David Cameron and even Prince Charles who came for Commonwealth (CHOGM) meeting last year.
"This push by the UK Government, although I would not say applied pressure, the delay was little more than ordinary, so we came out openly to speak about it."
 
Naseer said he only knew Sri Lanka to be a tourist destination as his brother told him while he was spending his holidays. "Khuram visited Sri Lanka twice before and spoke good of this country. However, Naseer had been visiting five times for the trial and says that he had met the people in the area. They have been very warm and welcoming, yet it would be difficult for him or to anyone from his family to come over here to spend their vacation simply because this is where his brother was brutally killed.
 
Avoided
"I really fought for this verdict and was forced into this journey and yet, have not got all the questions answered about the loss of my brother.
 
"I have avoided reading about the brutal killing from the very first day. I missed those points and did not want to understand what had happened to my brother. I still cannot really exactly understand the whole logic from that night till the trial ended.
 
"I didn't really want to know the specific parts of the murder and it's still raw for me," Naseer admitted.
Like any other cases where appeal is made, Naseer says he would wait for the appeal to learn the next step. "No doubt there will be an appeal by the convicts and we will wait and decide thereupon if something is required from our side.
'Gut feeling'
 
When asked if he has a 'gut feeling' that the accused would be out before 20 years, Naseer said that is not experienced as yet, and certainly not in this case although there are jail terms which are reduced due to good behaviour. But Naseer stated that this magnitude of crime cannot be seen in that light. "In this case, it's not just a murder, but everything, and there are multiple charges and I will be shocked and very surprised if the sentence is reduced. Even now, this verdict of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment may have been a surprise to many, I don't know. Till today, the case could have gone either way," Naseer pointed out.
 
"The present government should not allow such things to happen and the integrity of this country also lies within the judicial system of the country and my brother's case can be utilized as a good example and taken forward," he added.
Naseer says that he campaigned for this trial. "I am fortunate that a team back in my country had been there for me. I will wait to hear the appeal and remain to keep a close watch over the development of the case."
 
He recalled that his mother showed no emotion when she heard the verdict. "She was quiet. Looking into her eyes, I saw pain and she never accepts that she lost her son and that is tough. I will go back and give her a hug and probably she will be thankful to me as I pushed the case and ensured that this case will not be a forgotten one," Naseer said with a smile.
(Pic by J. Weerasekera)

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, 2014

The 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)