News

EU questions Sri Lanka’s commitments to UNHRC

20 Aug, 2019

The European Union (EU) today questioned Sri Lanka’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The Delegation of the European Union (EU) issued a statement in agreement with the Embassies of Germany, Italy, Netherlands, the UK High Commission, the Embassies of Norway and Switzerland.

The statement said that they fully share the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet’s serious concerns about the appointment of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, given the allegations of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations against him.

“The promotion of Lieutenant-General Silva to the post of Army Commander calls into question Sri Lanka’s commitments to the UN Human Rights Council, as recently as March 2019, to ensure justice and accountability,” the statement said.

The statement said the appointment also undermines Sri Lanka’s efforts towards national reconciliation and sends a worrying message to victims and survivors of the war. (Colombo Gazette)

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