COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION CONSIDERS REPORT OF SRI LANKA

( CERD Sri Lanka session in progress)

18/08/2016

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 16 August concluded the examination of the combined tenth to seventeenth periodic report of Sri Lanka on its implementation of the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Presenting the report, Ravinatha Aryasinha, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that the new Government of Sri Lanka was committed to provide stability, protect human rights and strengthen democracy.  He listed a number of measures aimed at strengthening human rights protection and the rule of law, particularly the introduction of the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution, the recent establishment of an Office on Missing Persons, and current consultations relating to the National Human Rights Action Plan 2017-2021.  He referred to past abuses by separatist terrorist groups and said that several issues had remained unaddressed since the end of the conflict in 2009, including violations of human rights and humanitarian law by both sides.

During the ensuing discussion, Experts welcomed the new Government’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka, but noted that despite efforts, discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities persisted, referring particularly to discrimination against Muslims and against plantation communities.  Experts referred significantly to the armed conflict, and asked a number of questions regarding efforts toward truth and reconciliation, as well as transitional justice and reparation for victims.  Other issues raised by the Committee pertained to the independence of lawyers, pre-trial detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the application of customary law, hate speech and citizenship.

In concluding remarks, Jose Francisco Cali Tzay, Committee Member and Country Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, congratulated the Government for its commitment to peace in Sri Lanka, and urged it to pay due attention to the situation of racial discrimination.  It was important to take lessons from the past in order to ensure non-repetition, he said.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Aryasinha said that the review had been very helpful for Sri Lanka to understand remaining challenges.  Experts’ comments would be fully taken on board, including with the adoption of the National Human Rights Action Plan.  He noted with appreciation that Experts had acknowledged the significant change that had recently taken place in Sri Lanka. 

The delegation of Sri Lanka included representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Attorney General’s Department and the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

The Committee will next meet in public on Friday, 26 August at 3 p.m. when it will close its ninetieth session.

Report

The combined tenth to seventeenth periodic report of Sri Lanka can be read here: CERD/C/LKA/10-17.

Presentation of the Report

RAVINATHA ARYASINHA, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that the report before the Committee today had been prepared following a consultative process involving non-governmental organizations.  In January 2015, there had been a change of leadership in Sri Lanka following national elections.  The new Government of National Unity was committed to provide stability, protect human rights and strengthen democracy.  An illustration of the Government’s commitment was the recent establishment of an Office on Missing Persons.  The Ambassador also referred to the current process of Constitutional Reform with the involvement of a Public Representations Committee and other governmental bodies.  The Government’s renewed engagement with the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination was another illustration of its commitment to human rights.  Sri Lanka was at present in the process of engaging in consultations for the drafting of the National Human Rights Action Plan 2017-2021, which would address all recommendations to be made by the Committee.

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