(NewsRadio); The Human Rights Committee has commended actions taken by Sri Lanka to resettle internally displaced persons, while raised issues concerning the effectiveness of constitutional reform and impunity for military officers who had allegedly committed or overseen human rights violations.
The Human Rights Committee on the 8th and 9th of March considered the sixth periodic report of Sri Lanka on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
During the review a Committee Expert noted progress made in settling internally displaced persons.
They welcomed that 92 per cent of the private land held by the military had been released to legitimate civilian owners.
Another Expert said constitutional reform through the 20th amendment in 2020 undermined the independence of the judiciary and gave the President unfettered control over the appointment of senior judges, members of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, and other entities responsible for protecting rights. Since then, the 21st amendment had been adopted in 2022 to re-establish the Constitutional Council and reinstate the former appointment procedure for such positions.
Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva and head of the delegation Himalee Arunatilaka, reported that in October 2022 the Parliament of Sri Lanka passed the 21st Amendment to the Constitution, further strengthening democratic governance, independent oversight of key institutions, the composition of the Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions.
The 21st amendment stipulated that it was the duty of the Constitutional Council to recommend commission members to the President. Recommendations had to consider gender balance.
The delegation said the Government rejected unsubstantiated accusations against Sri Lankan military officials. Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka said no factual or proven allegations of human rights violations existed against some senior military officers who were accused of violating human rights. She added that those appointed to Government office were qualified based on experience and expertise.
In concluding remarks, Ambassador Arunatilaka said that since its sixth periodic report, many developments had taken place within Sri Lanka including on gender equality, reconciliation and the adopted 21st amendment to the Constitution.
There were still constraints and issues that needed to be addressed, as in all countries, to ensure civil and political rights for all people in Sri Lanka.
She reiterated the Government’s commitment to protecting the human rights for all the people of Sri Lanka.
Tania María Abdo Rocholl, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, said the meetings were an important space to address issues including constitutional reform, accountability for serious human rights violations, the independence of the judiciary, internally displaced persons, national religious hatred, and the right to peaceful assembly, amongst others.
The delegation of Sri Lanka was made up of representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Women, The Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security, the Department of Prisons, the Office on Missing Persons, the Office for Reparations, the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation, National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation; and the Permanent Mission of the Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and thirty-seventh session is being held from 27 February to 24 March.
