A credible, transparent and independent investigation into the mass graves discovered in the country is urgently needed, says UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franway. He made the remarks in a statement issued on the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances.
The skeletons and personal belongings recovered from mass graves in the country so far are a reminder of the country’s past record of gross human rights violations, he said in a statement.
He points out in his statement that no one still knows what happened to a large number of Sri Lankans who were subjected to enforced disappearances in the past, and that the problems faced by the families of the disappeared are still present in society due to silence, lack of proper action and the escape of punishment by those accused of human rights violations using force.
The UN is also concerned about the surveillance, threats, intimidation and reprisals against victims, their families and human rights defenders, says the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franway.
He further states in his statement that those who exercise their rights should not be punished and should be protected.