The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues is set to visit Sri Lanka next week to assess the current situation of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities in the country.
Rita Izsak- Ndiaye will make a 10 day visit commencing 10th October and tour the island said the United Nations in a statement released on Wednesday.
In her statement Ms Ndiaye said,
“Experience has shown that the recognition of minority rights are critical if not requisite, in achieving long-lasting peace and reconciliation, particularly in countries such as Sri Lanka that were once divided by ethnic conflicts.”
“Considering the long-standing grievances that were at the roots of the 25 year civil war in Sri Lanka, any efforts towards accountability and reconciliation must include a careful examination of the extent to which the rights of minorities are protected and promoted in the country.”
The Special Rapporteur is expected to provide a full report on her visit to the UN Human rights Council in March 2017.
See statement here.
We need your support
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.
For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.
