The United Nations independent human rights expert on extrajudicial executions today welcomed the President of Sri Lanka’s announced intention to invite an international commission to inquire into recent killings, disappearances and abductions in the strife-torn country.
The United Nations independent human rights expert on extrajudicial executions today welcomed the President of Sri Lanka’s announced intention to invite an international commission to inquire into recent killings, disappearances and abductions in the strife-torn country.
“This is a potentially very important initiative,” said Special Rapporteur Philip Alston. “A truly independent international inquiry holds out the prospect of resolving some of the horrendous events of recent weeks and months and bringing the country back from the abyss.”
He emphasized that the commission must be independent, credible, effective and empowered to make a difference. “If the commission does not meet these requirements the initiative will fail and set back the cause of peace. If the requirements are taken seriously the move will prove to be courageous and could break the vicious circle that currently grips the country.”
Mr. Alston, noting that other countries had adopted a similar approach, suggested that Sri Lanka’s Government seek the advice of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in establishing the commission to ensure its independence and effectiveness.
The Special Rapporteur, who visited Sri Lanka less than a year ago, indicated that his forthcoming report to the General Assembly would also urge the creation of an international human rights monitoring mission there.
“The situation in Sri Lanka has deteriorated significantly since I visited Sri Lanka and met with Government officials, members of civil society, and representatives of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at the end of 2005,” he said. “Recent events have confirmed the dynamics of human rights abuse identified in my report and demonstrate the urgent need for an international human rights monitoring mission.”
The UN, he said, “would be well-situated to establish a mission fulfilling these requirements.”
Mr. Alston observed that the month of August had seen a series of tragedies, all serving to undermine respect for human rights as well as the prospects for peace. In addition to deploring the various military and naval engagements in recent weeks he made particular reference to several incidents of major human rights concern including the killing of a leading Tamil intellectual, the disappearance in Jaffna of a highly respected priest, and the shooting of 17 aid workers, all in the space of several weeks.