REPORT OF THE HRC OF SRI LANKA TO UN CAT: AN INDICTMENT OF JUSTICE SYSTEM

01/11/2016

Excerpts form the report of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to the Committee Against Torture, October 2016. Sub headings are from the SLB.

Introduction

1. Following the 19^th amendment to the Constitution in 2015, which established the Constitutional Council constituting members of political parties as well as civil society mandated to appoint members to the independent commissions, new members were appointed to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in late October 2015.

2. In 2007 the Commission was downgraded to B status by the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) for failure to adhere to the Paris Principles. Since the independence of the Commission was enhanced following the 19^th amendment to the Constitution, and the reasons for the downgrading are being addressed, the Commission is in the process of applying for A status.

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