Sri Lanka rejects external interference or mechanisms to investigate alleged human rights violations during the conflict with the LTTE, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has said.
Responding to the report submitted by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Sri Lanka at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Minister Vijitha Herath, who spoke on behalf of the government, said that Sri Lanka is committed to the accountability process only through a domestic mechanism.
The Minister also urged the UN Human Rights Council to recognize the progress made by the Sri Lankan government and requested additional time for the administration to fulfill its promises, including accountability mechanisms.
This afternoon, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presented the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Human Rights Council.
Introducing the report on Sri Lanka, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that the Sri Lankan government’s commitments to uphold justice, restore the rule of law, and eliminate discrimination and divisive politics must finally yield tangible results.
The report also calls for a clear acknowledgement of alleged human rights violations and abuses committed, including during the civil war, and for the accountability of the State and non-State armed groups, including the LTTE.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council opened in Geneva today.