Repeal 18A: UNHRC tells SL

31 October 2014 03:27 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UN Human Rights Committee while expressing concern over the implementation of the 18th amendment has called upon the government to repeal 18A in their concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Sri Lanka.

In the concluding observations of its review of Sri Lanka’s human rights record which was released yesterday, the UN Human Rights Committee had listed the implementation of 18A as a principle matter of concern. The Committee had furthermore expressed concern at the impeachment of the former Chief Justice in 2013 while calling on the government to take legislative and other measures to ensure transparent and impartial processes for appointments to the judiciary and other independent bodies.

It had also called upon the government of Sri Lanka to take effective measures to ensure the protection of members of the judiciary from improper influence, inducements, pressures, threats or interferences including those of the executive or legislature.

The Human Rights Committee has also noted with concern, the existence of the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the restrictions imposed on the freedom of expression and association, arbitrary searches and arrests and prolonged detention without charge or trial. It had also noted the reports of arbitrary surveillance, torture, detention, enforced disappearances and sexual violence against former combatants while urging the government to ensure that they are provided with effective protection against human rights violations including sexual violence, through the effective application of procedural safeguards and prosecution and punishment of the perpetrators of such violations.

Among the other issues listed as matters of concern by the UN Human Rights Committee in its review of Sri Lanka’s periodic report were rights of persons belonging to minorities, freedom of expression and participation in political processes, freedom of assembly and association, violence against women, counter-terrorism, enforced disappearances, non-discrimination, trafficking of persons and detention. It had also expressed concern over the limited territorial scope of the mandate of the Presidential Commission investigating into missing persons and the slow rate at which such cases have been investigated and prosecuted.

Sri Lanka’s human rights record was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee for the fifth time on October 7 and 8 during which a range of issues were discussed between the Committee members and the Sri Lankan delegation. During the reviewing, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha urged the Human Rights Committee to judge Sri Lanka in proportion to the challenges it has continued to face as a country emerging from a 30 year terrorist conflict and to recognize the measures implemented by the government to speedily return normalcy to those living in the former conflict zones notwithstanding security concerns. (Lakna Paranamanna)

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Comments - 13

jan Chandra Friday, 31 October 2014 10:06 AM

How about other countries having similar laws to prevent/handle terrorism? This is awoke indeed.

ng Friday, 31 October 2014 10:37 AM

That will not happen. I am 100% sure. via DM Android App

game kolla Friday, 31 October 2014 10:55 AM

Wake up jan Chandra..... What has 18A has to do with preventing terrorism. All it did was curtail democracy1. Removing independent commissions2. Giving unlimited and limitless power to a single personCan you elaborate what other counties have done this except for tyrannies in Africa. If they are talking about something like PTA then I understand your argument.

Waco Friday, 31 October 2014 11:06 AM

According to this report are they not encouraging and promoting Terrerism?Why can not we have laws approved by the parliment , which are necessary to govern the country.Why are they recommending to repeal 18A?When Sri Lanka was engage the n a brutal war, almost 30 years where were they? Sri Lanka was left alone, to swim or sink.

ranjit Friday, 31 October 2014 11:18 AM

every right thinking person in the country believes that the 18th amendment is Draconian and should be revealed..

babaBoo Friday, 31 October 2014 12:31 PM

These are very valid observations from the UNHRC. It is time for them to take action so that these abnormalities are removed and the people responsible punished. Just talk will not to.

aSOKA Friday, 31 October 2014 01:44 PM

What about George Bush and Tony Blair? Millions of innocent Iraqi civilians killed by these two leaders. Still USA, UK and EU killing innocent civilians of Iraq and Afghanistan. What about innocent Palestinians killing by Israel? What about India killing innocent Kashmir civilians killing by Indian forces? Truth is bitter for UNHRC?

Yehiya Friday, 31 October 2014 03:26 PM

Welcome

Mr. Bernard Wijeyasingha Saturday, 01 November 2014 12:08 AM

term limits are good if a nation can deal with ongoing national threats by new leaders. Sri Lanka may have defeated the Tamil Tigers in a military action but the ongoing process of forming Elam has hardly died. Tamil Nadu plays host to pro LTTE non government agencies such as TESO, TELO, PLOT with the tacit support of New Delhi, the UNHRC continues to push investigations on war crimes limited to the end of the war when it should address the entire war as in the Nuremberg trials. To date President Rajapakse has shown to have the strength and support of the people to keep the nation not only intact but economically in progress. I see no alternative but to keep him in power.

Nims Saturday, 01 November 2014 04:16 AM

When did you guys at HR stood by the victims. You always speak for the criminals. What the hell did you do when the LTTE was killing tens of thousands in Sri Lnaka

Madhawa Saturday, 01 November 2014 07:26 AM

UNHCR has no rights to comment on countries constitutions because it is not coming into their institutional agenda.

Sangaralingham Saturday, 01 November 2014 08:36 AM

A country with a religious moral cultural background cannot afford to live act govern with a culture which must value individuality self respect of individual especially if they under their custody must show social ethical moral dignity to themselves and others.

manu Saturday, 01 November 2014 09:17 AM

When this ROTTEN BUNCH who call themselves UNHRC officials, the PROTECTORS OF THE WEST will be crushed off.

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Repeal 18A: UNHRC tells SL

Comments - 13

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