UN EXPERT SHALL VISIT SRILANKA!!! FEAR AND INTIMIDATION OF HR DEFENDERS WORSENED!!!

UN Special Rapporteur wants dialogue with Lanka

By Easwaran Rutnam

The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings Philip Alston says he is waiting for an invitation from the Sri Lankan government to visit the country and pursue dialogue on concerns regarding the situation in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Daily Mirror Mr. Alston said that he has already clearly indicated to the government that he wants to visit the country and added that the ball is clearly in the Government's court. The government had earlier said it is willing to engage with Professor Alston, and hopes he will reciprocate.

“I have indicated very clearly to the Government of Sri Lanka that I would be very pleased to pursue dialogue and that I stand ready to visit Sri Lanka at any moment in order to do so. If they wish to send me an invitation to visit in order to facilitate a dialogue on the issues of mutual concern

UN Special

I would respond positively,” he told Daily Mirror by email.

He also said that the humanitarian crisis in the northeast is “deeply distressing” and that it is imperative that both the Government and the LTTE promote the welfare of the very large number of individuals who are trapped in the midst of fighting and whose lives appear to be very much at risk.

Professor Alston also refuted charges that he was ignoring human rights abuses committed by the LTTE and noted that the Tigers have a dismal record in respect to human rights.

“My own report was very detailed about the abuses committed by the LTTE. They committed many atrocities and had a dismal record in respect to human rights. But abuses by one side do not justify abuses by the other,” he said.

The UN Special Rapporteur also said that in any armed conflict, some civilian casualties are likely to result but the numbers will vary greatly according to the efforts made by the relevant parties to adhere to the requirements of the law of armed conflict.

In a public statement last month ten independent UN Experts including Professor Alston expressed their deep concern at the deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka, particularly the shrinking space for critical voices and the fear of reprisals against victims and witnesses which – together with a lack of effective investigations and prosecutions – has led to unabated impunity for human rights violations.

The UN Experts also said a climate of fear and intimidation reigns over those defending human rights, especially over journalists and lawyers and the safety of defenders has worsened considerably over the past year, most significantly following denunciations of human rights abuses committed by parties to the conflict, of corruption by state officials and of impunity.
DAILYMIRROR.LK