UK-based Freedom from Torture has hailed the forthcoming "historic visit" of the UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture and Independence of Judges and Lawyers to Sri Lanka.
In a statement, International Advocate and Researcher Ann Hannah said the officials " have a crucial role to play in holding the government to its international commitments".
"This must include meaningful survivor consultation on an internationalised justice process as well as other measures in order to build trust across communities and deliver long-term peace and reconciliation," she said, pointing out that torture was still ongoing.
“However, we cannot ignore that this visit takes place against a backdrop of ongoing torture. Freedom from Torture has received 248 cases of torture since 2009 including 17 referrals for torture in 2015 under the current government. This undermines the government’s work to secure a stable and prosperous Sri Lanka,
“We want to see greater commitment by the government to dismantle the extensive and brutal police and security torture machinery. The Special Rapporteur on Torture, himself a survivor and eminent jurist, is uniquely placed to push the government for greater action in this area.”
UN Torture and Independence of Judiciary Rapporteurs to visit Sri Lanka (26 April 2016)