25 February 2021 08:06 pm
The United States has shared the OHCHR’s concerns and urged Sri Lanka to make public a strategy and timetable for implementation of the report’s recommendations.
While making the U.S. Statement at the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Sri Lanka Report, Daniel Kronenfeld said they were concerned by accounts of increasing marginalization of minority communities and shrinking space for civil society, including independent media.
“We remain concerned about the lack of accountability, including high-level appointments of military officials credibly accused of conflict-era abuses. The Sri Lankan government’s efforts to address concerns raised in OHCHR’s report via a domestic process need to be meaningful and credible. We note that the Sri Lankan Commission of Inquiry does not include a mandate to pursue accountability, and that the Office of Missing Persons and Office of Reparations need to operate without political interference,
We note that respect for the human rights of all Sri Lankans is critical to Sri Lanka’s long-term peace, security and prosperity, and call on the Sri Lankan government to take meaningful, concrete steps to promote accountability, justice, and reconciliation,” the US said in its statement.