War violations probe is Sri Lanka’s decision

Says Prince Zeid who believes victims on all sides must have faith in mechanism

by Lakshman Gunasekara

Courtesy: Sunday Observer, Colombo

( February 14, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, may have been relieved that the kind of Sri Lankan hospitality that his delegation received during his visit here last week was quite unlike the abusive ‘welcome’ extended by some pro-government activist groups and ministers of the previous government when his predecessor, Ms. Navi Pillay, visited Sri Lanka. Indeed, at the press briefing in Colombo at the end of his visit, Prince Zeid remarked on it. Interestingly, the demonstration outside the gates of the UN compound in Colombo, the venue of his media briefing, was not by a group against the UN delegation but a group of Sri Lankans who wanted to meet the delegation and share their human rights issues. In an interview with the Sunday Observer (also telecast on Rupavahini TV), the UN Human Rights chief addressed the thorny issue of a ‘hybrid court’ and explained that the Geneva Resolution did not stipulate any such requirement but only made recommendations.

Zeid with the President Maithri in Colombo

Q. How satisfied are you as the United Nations monitor of the Sri Lankan process on the progress so far – is Sri Lanka adequately on track to implement the recommendations of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution?

A. There has been progress. But, I think that everyone will say – and I think even the Government would say – that there has not been positive change at the rate that people would like. There are a variety of reasons : some of which has to do simply with time.

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