The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein says he expects mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation to be in place in Sri Lanka ahead of the September session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Making a statement on the opening day of the 29th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today, Al Hussein said that the new Government in Sri Lanka has passed a constitutional amendment which, if implemented appropriately, brings renewed hope for democracy and the rule of law.
He said that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will remain very engaged in discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on the need for transparent and inclusive processes to develop credible mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation, ahead of his report to the September session.
“I encourage the Government to consult broadly with all political parties, civil society, and above all victims and their families, to ensure full national support and ownership of these processes,” he added.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is scheduled to present a report on Sri Lanka in September based on an investigation conducted on the war in Sri Lanka.
The new Government had ensured the report was delayed till September from March this year by assuring that it will address accountability issues over the war through a domestic mechanism. (Colombo Gazette)