Colombo, September 14: The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday that Sri Lanka will ensure “strong and continued cooperation” with the UNHRC and United Nations mandated human rights system, in keeping its Constitution and its international obligations voluntarily undertaken.”
But he made it clear that Sri Lanka rejects foreign reconciliation mechanisms and international initiatives as envisaged by the UNHRC.
Addressing the 48 th. Regular Session of the UNHRC on September 14, Peiris said: “ We reject the proposal for any external initiatives purportedly established by Resolution 46/1 while domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters. This will polarize our society, as we experienced with Resolution 30/1.”
“The Council must adhere to its founding principles. External initiatives embarked upon without the cooperation of the country concerned cannot achieve their stated goals, and will be subject to politicization. The resources expended on this initiative are unwarranted, especially when they are urgently needed for humanitarian and other constructive purposes in many parts of the world.’
“Under the current and pressing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider it a basic duty of a government to ensure the uninterrupted supply of commodities essential to the life of the community. We are open in acknowledging our challenges and as a responsible and democratic government, we are committed to achieving tangible progress on the entire range of issues relating to accountability, reconciliation, human rights, peace and sustainable development.”
“Twelve years ago, Sri Lanka eradicated LTTE terrorism on its soil. We have restored peace, security and stability for the benefit of our people. We held firm to our democratic traditions and elections were held at regular intervals with high levels of voter participation – most recently at the 2019 Presidential and 2020 Parliamentary polls. The Government is committed to holding the Provincial Council elections at the earliest.”
“We are dealing with post-conflict recovery from the perspective of healing. Most recently, 16 LTTE cadres convicted of serious terrorist crimes were granted Presidential pardons. The success of post conflict demining, reconstruction and resettlement programs has contributed immensely to national reconciliation.”’
He then highlighted the progress made in the domestic processes “despite the daily challenges of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) as its core function, is finalizing the list of missing persons in collaboration with other agencies. The Office for Reparations (OR) has processed 3775 claims this year. The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) continues its 8-point action plan. The National Human Rights Commission is carrying on its mandate. A steering committee on SDG 16 is working towards enhancing peace, justice and strong institutions.
A Cabinet Sub Committee was appointed to revisit the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)and to bring it in line with international norms and best practices. A report will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers at the end of this month.
An Advisory Board was appointed to look into cases of detention under the PTA and to make recommendations to deal with such cases expeditiously. Speedy disposal of cases under the PTA is also taking place.
A Commission of Inquiry (COI) headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court was established to address issues on accountability and missing persons and to revisit recommendations by previous Commissions. The COI submitted its Interim report to the President. The final report will be submitted within the next 06 months.
“We are maintaining vigorous engagement with civil society to obtain their insights and to harness their support in achieving reconciliation and development,” Prof. Peiris said.
Easter Sunday Bombings
He then went on to say: “Sri Lanka continues to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the appalling terrorist attack on Easter Sunday in 2019 complying with due process of law in all respects. As always, we will remain vigilant in combatting terrorism and protecting Sri Lankans of all religions.
Michelle Bachelet’s Proposal
In her speech on Monday, High Commissioner Michele Bachelet had said the following about international initiatives to bring about ethnic reconciliation in Sri Lanka:
“I note also that last month, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions decided to initiate a special review of the national Human Rights Commission to determine its compliance with the Paris Principles, indicating its concerns about the appointment process of the Commission and its effectiveness in discharging its human rights mandate.”
“Against this backdrop, my Office’s work to implement the accountability-related aspects of Resolution 46/1 has begun, pending recruitment of a start-up team. We have developed an information and evidence repository with nearly 120,000 individual items already held by the UN, and we will initiate as much information-gathering as possible this year. I urge Member States to ensure the budget process provides the necessary support so that my Office can fully implement this work.”
END
Human Rights Council 48th Regular Session
Agenda Item 2: Oral update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Statement by Prof. G.L. Peiris Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka (Geneva, 14 September 2021)
Let me begin by reiterating our strong and continued cooperation with this Council and the United Nations mandated human rights system, in keeping with our Constitution and our international obligations voluntarily undertaken.
Twelve years ago, Sri Lanka eradicated LTTE terrorism on its soil. We have restored peace, security and stability for the benefit of our people. We held firm to our democratic traditions and elections were held at regular intervals with high levels of voter participation – most recently at the 2019 Presidential and 2020 Parliamentary polls. The Government is committed to holding the Provincial Council elections at the earliest.
We are dealing with post-conflict recovery from the perspective of healing. Most recently, 16 LTTE cadres convicted of serious terrorist crimes were granted Presidential pardons. The success of post conflict demining, reconstruction and resettlement programs has contributed immensely to national reconciliation.
Despite the daily challenges of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, let me highlight the progress made in the domestic processes:
The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) as its core function, is finalizing the list of missing persons in collaboration with other agencies The Office for Reparations (OR) has processed 3775 claims this year.
The Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) continues its 8 point action plan.
The National Human Rights Commission is carrying on its mandate.
A steering committee on SDG 16 is working towards enhancing peace, justice and strong institutions.
A Cabinet Sub Committee was appointed to revisit the PTA and to bring it in line with international norms and best practices. A report will be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers at the end of this month. An Advisory Board was appointed to look into cases of detention under the PTA and to make recommendations to deal with such cases expeditiously. Speedy disposal of cases under the PTA is also taking place.
A Commission of Inquiry headed by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court was established to address issues on accountability and missing persons and to revisit recommendations by previous Commissions. The COI submitted its Interim report to the President. The final report will be submitted within the next 06 months.
We are maintaining vigorous engagement with civil society to obtain their insights and to harness their support in achieving reconciliation and development.
Madam President,
Sri Lanka continues to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the appalling terrorist attack on Easter Sunday in 2019 complying with dueprocess of law in all respects. As always, we will remain vigilant in combatting terrorism and protecting Sri Lankans of all religions.
Madam President,
We reject the proposal for any external initiatives purportedly established by Resolution 46/1 while domestic processes are vigorously addressing the relevant matters. This will polarize our society, as we experienced with Resolution 30/1. The Council must adhere to its founding principles. External initiatives embarked upon without the cooperation of the country concerned cannot achieve their stated goals, and will be subject to politicization. The resources expended on this initiative are unwarranted, especially when they are urgently needed for humanitarian and other constructive purposes in many parts of the world.
Madam President,
Under the current and pressing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we consider it a basic duty of a government to ensure the uninterrupted supply of commodities essential to the life of the community. We are open in acknowledging our challenges and as a responsible and democratic government, we are committed to achieving tangible progress on the entire range of issues relating to accountability, reconciliation, human rights, peace and sustainable development.
I thank you, Madam President.
