Today, Sri Lanka faced the 14th session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council for the review of its human rights record.
Several countries criticised Sri Lanka’s progress on human rights and called on the government to investigate past and continuing violations. A total of 99 countries spoke at the review, which was opened by a statement by the Minister for Plantation Industries and the President’s Special Envoy Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe, who detailed ‘progress’ made by the government and answered questions sent in advance by 20 countries.
However, several subsequent statements made by states criticised the human rights situation on the island and demanded further investigations into violations.
The US said it noted steps taken towards the resettlement of IDPs but urged Sri Lanka to fulfil legal obligations on accountability, end impunity, strengthen judicial independence and protect freedom of expression.
Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said that "former conflict zones remain militarised and the military continues to encroach upon daily civilian and economic affairs". She added that torture, extra-judicial killings, disappearances and suppression of free speech still exist.
The ambassador expressed deep concern about continuing attacks and intimidation on journalists and human rights defenders, and reprisals against these individuals.
The United Kingdom recommended that Sri Lanka ensures a climate in which all individuals are free to express their beliefs and engage with UN mechanisms without fear of reprisals.
The British ambassador Karen Pearce welcomed progress made since May 2009 and urged the government to take further measures to implement the recommendations of the LLRC.
Austria also expressed concerns about sexual violence against Tamil females and asked the Sri Lankan Government to provide a specific timeline for the implementation of LLRC recommendations and to adopt a national policy on protection of human rights activists and journalists.
Denmark called for investigations and prosecution of all members of security forces who are guilty of violations of international law, regardless of their rank.
Concerns about the lack of implementation of previously accepted recommendations were also raised by Denmark, and they called for the closure of all unofficial detention centres.
India welcomed several encouraging developments but called on Sri Lanka to implement the 13th Amendment and build on it to ensure the incorporation of the devolution of powers.
India also called for a reduction in high security zones and the phasing out of the military from civilian life.
Sri Lanka responded to several concerns raised, saying that they are hopeful that there will be further progress by the Human Rights Council Session in March and more time and space is needed to work towards further progress.
