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Zeid presents oral update on Sri Lanka to UNHRC

29 Jun, 2016

The?United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights?Zeid Ra?ad Al Hussein presented an oral update on Sri Lanka to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) today.

He made the oral update during the 32nd session of the UNHRC in Geneva.

In his oral update,?Zeid expressed satisfaction on?the efforts taken by the Government to address reconciliation issues.

However he raised concerns over the slow progress on releasing more land held by the military. He also raised concerns over the failure to abolish the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

He?also?noted the need for international participation in the accountability process. In the oral update, an advanced?version which was made available earlier this week,?Zeid urged the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to give Sri Lanka time to show more progress in several areas.

Nevertheless, the High Commissioner urges the Government to take concrete steps to address the impatience, anxiety and reservations towards the process that stem from various quarters, and reiterates the importance for all Sri Lankans to rally behind the process.

He also says the encouragement and support of the Human Rights Council has been crucial in underpinning this process and giving assurance and confidence to all stakeholders, particularly the victim community. (Colombo Gazette)

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