International delegation to assess the rule of law and independence of the judiciary barred from entering country

SATURDAY, 02 FEBRUARY 2013

An International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) delegation has been not allowed to enter the country say reports. The high level delegation from the Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) of the International Bar Association forced to postpone a planned visit to Sri Lanka to assess the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary due to the last minute withdrawal of permission to enter the country.

The IBAHRI delegation consisted of distinguished jurists that was to be led by former Indian Chief Justice J.S. Verma and was scheduled to arrive in Colombo yesterday (1st) for a 10 day visit.

A visa that had been issued to one member of the delegation on 18th January 2013 was revoked on 29th January 2013, while approval to enter the country was suspended in the cases of other delegates on 29th and 30th January 2013 an announcement by the IBAHRI press office said.

It said the Institute had expressed its serious concern to the Sri Lankan High Commission in London regarding the revocation and suspension of entry approval for its delegation.

The IBAHRI delegation had intended to conduct meetings and consult a wide diversity of stakeholders in regard to the development of the legal profession, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in Sri Lanka, including members of the legal profession, government, media and civil society.

The delegation was to be headed by Justice Verma, and comprise UK House of Lords Member Baroness Usha Prashar, IBA Human Rights Institute Programme Lawyer, Shane Keenan and a British Barrister working with the IBA’s Human Rights Institute, Sadakat Kadri.