Sri Lanka must break from the past and chart a new course: UN Human Rights Chief

 

UNHRC session in progress: File pix

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged Sri Lanka to break from the past and chart a new course.

Addressing the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) yesterday (September 9), the UN Human Rights Chief  warned of “renewed threats to fundamental freedoms – including regressive laws and the erosion of democratic checks and balances, as well as harassment and intimidation of civil society and journalists.” 

Lack of accountability for past abuses meant that a sense of impunity impeded meaningful progress and encouraged continued violations and more corruption, he observed.

Earlier, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights shared a copy of the hard-hitting draft report with Sri Lanka on recent attempts to curtail freedom of expression, longstanding wartime accountability issues and intimidation of civil society and journalists in the country.  

The UN Human Rights Chief also urged that the new government which will assume duties after upcoming Presidential polls must commit to the concrete transformational changes needed to ensure accountability, justice and reconciliation. " The international community too must support this transformation. It is important for Sri Lanka’s creditors to provide the Government with the fiscal space necessary to realize all human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights,” he said. 

“My Office is not here to point the finger, but to lend a hand. We are reflecting what Sri Lankans from all communities are telling us,” he pointed out. Concerns could not be ignored. The HRC and UN members should “continue to address the accountability gap in Sri Lanka – including by supporting the work of my Office,” while states could also “take action through their own domestic systems, as well as through international fora, including – for example – through the processes set out in the UN human rights treaties.” High Commissioner Türk noted. 

He also stressed that it is high time to bring closure to the past. To break a destructive cycle that leads to more violence and creates more victims and begin an inclusive journey towards a just and sustainable future for all Sri Lankans. (Northeastern Monitor/ September 10/2024)