The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Sri Lanka to “focus on deeper institutional reforms” as she cited the country as an example of regions where economic crises have impacted on human rights.
Delivering an update to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Bachelet said, “We observe worrying consequences on human rights as a result of economic and other crises in some countries”.
“For instance, in Sri Lanka, I urge the Government to ensure immediate relief for the most marginalized and vulnerable groups and to prioritise social protection as it negotiates a recovery plan,” she added. “I hope efforts will focus on deeper institutional reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in governance, reduce inequalities and advance reconciliation and justice for all communities.”
The UN human rights chief has come under criticism in recent weeks, after recently concluding a trip to China whilst Beijing continues its crackdown on Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.
A group of 40 politicians from 18 countries, including the United States, reportedly voiced their opposition to Bachelet’s visit, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating there were “reports that residents of Xinjiang were warned not to complain or speak openly about conditions in the region, that no insight was provided into the whereabouts of hundreds of missing Uyghurs and conditions for over a million individuals in detention”.
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