Sri Lanka’s human rights record will be scrutinised by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth time on February 1, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said.
The first, second and third UPR reviews took place in May 2008, October 2012 and November 2017, respectively.
Three country-specific reports which would serve as the basis for the review of Sri Lanka can be accessible on the OHCHR website with advance questions submitted by other states on the usage of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), reconciliation, accountability other issues.
All 193 UN member States have been reviewed thrice within the first, second and third UPR cycles.
During the fourth UPR cycle, States are again expected to spell out steps they have taken to implement recommendations posed during their previous reviews which they committed to follow up on, and highlight recent human rights developments in the country.
The Sri Lankan delegation will be led by Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry during the review.
The three country representatives serving as rapporteurs (“troika”) for the review of Sri Lanka are Algeria, the United Kingdom and Qatar.
(Source: Sunday Times)
