Our response to the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid, as he ends his visit to Sri Lanka

Sonya Sceats, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Freedom from Torture, said:

“We strongly welcome the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Sri Lanka at this critical time and his statement reaffirming the value of the agreement struck by Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council only a few months ago. We note his acknowledgement of the ongoing torture that we and the International Truth and Justice Project have exposed since the change of government.

We should beware of those talking over the heads of the survivors in calling for a deferral of trials for torture and other crimes committed during and after the war.

Survivors of torture in treatment at Freedom from Torture have been clear that justice and a political settlement for the Tamil people, as well as other transitional justice measures, must go hand in hand as part of a comprehensive package to deliver reconciliation and long-term stability for all peoples in Sri Lanka.”