Breaking News

OHCHR says it can probe without coming

17 Jun 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Days after the announcement that Sri Lanka had decided to deny access to the UN investigation team, the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said yesterday it had developed extensive methodologies to deal with situations where access had been denied.

OHCHR Spokesman Rupert Colville told Daily Mirror the OHCHR could do a ‘full and thorough investigation’ even without access to the country.

“The investigation will take place either way. It will be better to have access, but it is still possible to do a full and thorough investigation without it,” he said.

Referring to examples of investigations carried out by independent Commissions of Inquiry on Syria and North Korea, Mr. Colville said the OCHCR was able to produce detailed reports and gather lots of evidence without access to these two countries to investigate human rights violations.

“The OHCHR has developed an extensive methodology for dealing with situations where access is denied,” he said.

Earlier, UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay requested the Sri Lankan Government to co-operate with her team of officials to conduct investigations. However, the Government formally communicated to her office that it would not do so. It even decided to deny visas to members of the investigating team should they apply.

The Government had also decided to take a vote after a two-day debate in Parliament on a resolution underlining its refusal to cooperate with the OHCHR investigation. (Kelum Bandara)

Breaking News

OHCHR says it can probe without coming

Most Popular Articles

More arrests of lawyers, politicians and senior police officers

Former National Lotteries Board Chairperson Shyamila Perera arrested

Girl visited her lover, gang raped by lover and his friends

Updated World Test Championship standings after West Indies’ record win over Sri Lanka

Country loses US $ 1 billion in fraudulent transactions, certain banks involved

Historic locomotive move between Kandy and Peradeniya without tracks

Latest News

Sri Lanka calls for Asia-Pacific support for blue carbon and climate action frameworks

12-hour water cut in Dehiwala, Moratuwa, Ratmalana and surrounding areas

Commander Chaminda Walakuluge returns to head Naval Media

Fire destroys 10 acres of Haputale forest reserve

Tibetan man dies after setting himself on fire near UN headquarters