The Attorney General’s Department is drafting a response to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, who in his latest report on Sri Lanka described the AG’s office as a key obstacle to justice and underscored the need for an independent prosecutorial authority.
An official from the Department confirmed that the response is being prepared in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will form part of the Government’s official reply to the observations made by Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk in his report, which is scheduled to be presented at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in September.
According to an advance copy of the report released on the UNHRC website on Tuesday, the High Commissioner identified reforms within the Attorney General’s office as crucial to establishing an independent prosecutorial body capable of pursuing grave human rights violations.
“The wide prosecutorial discretion afforded to the Attorney General, a general reluctance to act on uncorroborated evidence, the limited investigative capacity of the police, lack of qualified forensic experts, and shortage of Tamil-speaking officers are collectively hindering victims’ access to justice and perpetuating impunity,” the report stated.
The report also noted that the Government, in its policy manifesto, had pledged to establish a “Directorate of Public Prosecution” independent of the Attorney General’s Department.
“An expert committee has been established to study the establishment of an independent prosecutor’s office. The Government reported that a committee has been tasked with developing initial proposals, and that feedback from the public, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, and civil society would be sought on the draft concept paper,” the report added.
High Commissioner Türk met with Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe during his visit to Sri Lanka in June this year.
