Geneva (6 September 2023)
Sri Lanka suffers from a persistent lack of accountability for any issue of war crimes, atrocities, more recent human rights abuses, corruption or abuse of power. The report of the United Nations Human Rights Office published on Wednesday (06) states that this issue must be addressed if the country is to move forward.
The demand of the struggle
“A year ago mass protests demanded better governance and an inclusive vision for Sri Lanka. -In short, a renewal of the social contract. “But the potential for a historic transformation that faces long-term challenges is still far from being realized,” said Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
14 years after the end of the war, tens of thousands of victims and their families continue to experience the pain and suffering of seeking truth, justice and redress. While the government has proposed a new truth-seeking mechanism, the report emphasizes that genuine efforts must lay the groundwork to create the enabling environment for any transitional justice process to succeed.
Seeking the truth is not enough, justice is also needed
Such a process can begin with meaningful and transparent consultations with victims and civil society in the context of the current truth-seeking proposal. By ending all forms of harassment and illegal and arbitrary searches against human rights defenders and victim groups. and by supporting initiatives to acknowledge the experiences of victims and by facilitating commemorations.
“Seeking the truth alone is not enough. It must also be accompanied by a clear commitment to accountability and the political will to implement far-reaching change,” said High Commissioner Turk.
An international inquiry into the Easter attacks
Among other recommendations, the report calls on the authorities to expedite investigations and prosecutions of alleged human rights violations, as well as the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. The former High Commissioner has previously called for an independent investigation with international support to carry out further investigations into the full circumstances of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attack.
The report provides an update on the work of the accountability project established by the United Nations Human Rights Office pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 46/1 and 51/1. The High Commissioner has repeatedly called on the international community to support accountability initiatives, particularly through investigations and prosecutions using universal or territorial jurisdiction, along with other complementary measures.
The report also details a number of issues with proposed new legislation, including a new anti-terrorism bill and legislation to regulate broadcasting.
What the President said and did not happen
The report notes that the president has taken a different tone in advancing reconciliation initiatives and has promised to halt land acquisition for archaeological or security purposes, which has been a source of increasing local conflict and tension. At the same time, the report also states that the United Nations Human Rights Office continues to receive reports of land disputes, especially in the northern and eastern parts of the country.
The continued impact of the 2022 economic crisis and the global setback on people’s human rights and well-being are highlighted in the report, including a dramatic doubling of Sri Lanka’s poverty rate from 13% in 2021 to 25% in 2022. The report states that insecurity affects a significant percentage of the population, affects the right to health and increases the risk of dropping out of school.
The monitory fund should promote good governance, transparency and accountability
The High Commissioner has said that the international community, including international financial institutions, should support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and fulfill its international obligations, and at the same time press for real progress in good governance, transparency and accountability.
“I urge the government and Sri Lankan political parties to pursue and deliver with renewed enthusiasm the urgent need for deep institutional reforms and tangible progress on accountability, reconciliation and human rights,” High Commissioner Turk said. “Such renewed efforts will be particularly appropriate in this year, which marks both the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The report also states that
(In an announcement made in English – Accountability central to Sri Lanka’s future – UN Human Rights report – Sinhala translation from Sri Lanka Brief)