UN commission to probe Sri Lanka

UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon has informed the Government of Sri Lanka that he is considering appointing a Commission of Experts to advise him further and to assist the Government in taking measures to address possible violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, a UN spokesman said.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky, speaking to reporters at the UN, said that the establishment of such a commission is currently receiving detailed consideration by the UN Secretariat.

Asked about comments made on Thursday by the Special Rapporteur dealing with Sri Lanka, Philip Alston, the Spokesperson said that the Technical Note presented by the Special Rapporteur highlights the need for a credible, independent and impartial investigation of the allegations of violations of human rights and international law by all sides in the conflict in Sri Lanka. The United Nations, and particularly the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, stands ready to assist the Government in this respect, he added.

Nesirky emphasized that the Secretary-General would note that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has repeatedly called for a full, broad, and impartial investigation into allegations of violations of human rights and international law by all sides that occurred during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

A full and impartial investigation into allegations of human rights violations is critical, he said, if we are to confront impunity and bring perpetrators of such violations to justice. The United Nations stands ready to assist the Government in this respect.