In a statement made today UK Based Freedom from Torture welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ update on Sri Lanka and urged the Human Rights Council members to continue to call for the “full implementation of the government’s promises on accountability alongside political reform.”
The rights group expressed concern over government "statements that accountability for torture and other human rights abuses does not require international involvement," and welcomed the High Commissioner's reiteration of the need for international participation in accountability.
Stressing that torture continued in Sri Lanka, Freedom from Torture’s International Advocate and Researcher, said,
“History teaches us that failing to address war crimes is not just letting down survivors of that conflict, it also undermines the future of the country. We welcome this statement by the High Commissioner which provides a thoughtful update on the measures that the government has taken, which should be acknowledged, but it also calls on the government to deliver, without further delay, measures to build confidence amongst victims and minority communities."
“At Freedom from Torture we have reported on instances of torture since May 2009 and earlier this year highlighted cases which have been referred to us of torture since President Sirisena came to power in January 2015. When coupled with mixed messages from the President on his commitment to implementation of the Human Rights Council Resolution, this destroys the fragile confidence survivors have in the government’s desire to deliver political settlement and security for communities across the country”
"We have repeatedly expressed our concern at government statements that accountability for torture and other human rights abuses does not require international involvement and we are particularly pleased to see the High Commissioner’s reiteration of the need for the involvement of international judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawyers in a judicial mechanism. The government has said that it is capable of delivering justice but this fails to understand the need to build trust and, as the High Commissioner highlights, international involvement is a necessary guarantee of the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims."
The rights group expressed concern over government "statements that accountability for torture and other human rights abuses does not require international involvement," and welcomed the High Commissioner's reiteration of the need for international participation in accountability.
Stressing that torture continued in Sri Lanka, Freedom from Torture’s International Advocate and Researcher, said,
“History teaches us that failing to address war crimes is not just letting down survivors of that conflict, it also undermines the future of the country. We welcome this statement by the High Commissioner which provides a thoughtful update on the measures that the government has taken, which should be acknowledged, but it also calls on the government to deliver, without further delay, measures to build confidence amongst victims and minority communities."
“At Freedom from Torture we have reported on instances of torture since May 2009 and earlier this year highlighted cases which have been referred to us of torture since President Sirisena came to power in January 2015. When coupled with mixed messages from the President on his commitment to implementation of the Human Rights Council Resolution, this destroys the fragile confidence survivors have in the government’s desire to deliver political settlement and security for communities across the country”
"We have repeatedly expressed our concern at government statements that accountability for torture and other human rights abuses does not require international involvement and we are particularly pleased to see the High Commissioner’s reiteration of the need for the involvement of international judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawyers in a judicial mechanism. The government has said that it is capable of delivering justice but this fails to understand the need to build trust and, as the High Commissioner highlights, international involvement is a necessary guarantee of the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims."