UN human rights investigation on Sri Lanka: Freedom from Torture will keep up the pressure for accountability on post-conflict torture
The UN Human Rights Council has agreed to postpone hearing the report of a special UN investigation into human rights violations in Sri Lanka.
The investigating team, to which Freedom from Torture has submitted detailed evidence of post-conflict torture, will now report to the Council in September instead of March, as previously planned.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein has said he requested the postponement because of the recent change of Presidency of Sri Lanka, the increased readiness of the new President to engage with the UN on human rights, and the possibility that new information which may aid the UN investigation could emerge as result
Freedom from Torture welcomes his assurances that this does not mean the investigation will be shelved, and that the report of the UN investigation will be published in September. Freedom from Torture will publish its own findings separately this year to keep up the pressure on the issue of post-conflict torture in Sri Lanka.
Freedom from Torture Chief Executive Susan Munroe said:
"Sri Lankan torture survivors make up the largest group of new referrals to our services and they continue to present shocking evidence of post-conflict torture. We are determined to use their evidence to press the case for accountability in the lead-up to September's meeting of the Human Rights Council."
High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in his statement:
"I give my personal, absolute and unshakable commitment that the report will be published by September. Like my predecessors, I believe that one of the most important duties of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is to act as a strong voice on behalf of victims. I want this report to have the maximum possible impact in ensuring a genuine and credible process of accountability and reconciliation in which the rights of victims to truth, justice and reparations are finally respected."
