Fresh look at UNHRC probe

15 January 2015 02:03 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In its handling of the country’s foreign policy, the new Government has decided to look afresh at the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL), a deputy minister said yesterday.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera told Daily Mirror that he and Minister Mangala Samaraweera discussed this matter soon after assuming duties on Tuesday.

“We have to prioritize our engagement with this investigation process. We had a discussion in this regard,” Minister Perera said adding that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would focus on the appointment of career diplomats and professionals to the Foreign Service while reducing the number of political appointments.

The investigative mechanism, for the probe on Sri Lanka, was set up in conformity with the resolutions adopted in March last year by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The resolution mandated the High Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability with the assistance of relevant experts and special procedures by mandate holders.

The High Commissioner appointed three experts, Martti Ahtisaari -- former President of Finland; Silvia Cartwright -- former High Court Judge of New Zealand and Asma Jahangir -- former President of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, to play a supportive and advisory role, as well as an independent verification throughout the investigation.

The OHCHR had set up October 30, 2014 as the initial deadline for submissions. The High Commissioner is expected to submit this report to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during its session in March, this year. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 1

Nimal Tissa Wijetunga Thursday, 15 January 2015 02:37 PM

DearMinister/Deputy Minister,What do you mean by looking at UNHCR INVESTIGATION ON war crimes in Sri Lanka?Our heroic armed forces fought a battle of the century to defeat most dreded terrorist out fit in the world i.e. LTTE.We are tellinf Mangala and you that if you dfo anything other than rejecting the call by UN FOR INVESTIGATION, YOU ARE BETRAYING THE NATIONAL INTEREST OF sRI lANKA and Sri Lankans. Pls mind you that you are not voted to do anything harmful or detrimental to National issues connected with the defeat of LTTE and the terrorism.Pls note that the day you start any bickering on the National Issues as it it is today, it is beggining of the end of you and your government.

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Fresh look at UNHRC probe

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