SRI LANKA REPORT OF THE SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON MINORITY ISSUES: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Image: Rita Izsak, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues.

22/02/2017

From the report of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues on her mission to Sri Lanka.

60. The National Unity   Government   established   in   January   2015   must   be commended for  many of its reform initiatives and positive  practices to promote  good governance and national reconciliation. However, as a consequence of the long conflict and the prevailing culture of impunity that remains unaddressed, there is a clear trust deficit  vis-à-vis  the  State  as  well  as  between  the  communities  in  Sri  Lanka.  The polarized  social  and  political  environments  and  divisions  that  cut  across  society through ethnic, religious and linguistic lines are key obstacles to the reform process as well   as   to   the   much -needed   process   of   national   reconciliation.   Adversarial ethnicization  of  politics  blocks  progress  in  achieving  the  reform  needed  for  the  full protection and promotion of minority rights.

61. The protection and  realization  of  the  rights  of  minorities  are  instrumental  not only  to  reduce  communal  tensions  but  are  essential  components  of  good  governance.

History  has  shown  that  societies  in  which  mechanisms  are  in  place  that  allow minorities  to  freely  use  their  language,  practise  their  culture  and  religion  and participate  in  political  and  economic  life on  an  equal  footing  with  the  rest  of  the population are the societies that succeed in creatinglasting peace and stability.

62. Protection and promotion of minority rights and national reconciliation are not contradictory. The Special Rapporteur firmly believes that the success of the ongoing reform and reconciliation process depends on the extent to which the Government can place a minority  rights  regime  firmly  on  its  longer-term  governance  and  transitional justice  agenda.  Particular  attention  should  be  paid  to  effective  participation  of minorities in decision-making, equality in access to economic and social opportunities and  the  constructive  development  of  practices  and  institutional  arrangements  to accommodate   ethnic,   linguistic   and   religious   diversity within   society.   Where inequalities   based   on   ethnicity   have   existed,   whether   intentionally   or   de   facto, corrective special measures must be undertaken to establish equal enjoyment of rights on the basis of accurate and disaggregated data.

63.For  the  good governance  initiative  to  succeed,  there  is  also  a  need  for  all  Sri Lankans   to   come   together   and   regenerate   trust   at   all   levels   of   society.   While addressing  the  past  and  ensuring  accountability,  a  conscious  effort  to  strengthen  the Sri  Lankan  identity  and  the  notion  of  nationhood  to  foster  a  stronger  sense  of belonging  and  togetherness  of  all  Sri  Lankans  is  critically  needed.

The  Special Rapporteur  very  much  welcomes  the  National  Policy  on  Reconciliation  (2016)  in  this regard.

64.The  constitutional  reform  and  the  transitional  justice  process  present  an unprecedented  opportunity  to  address  the  past  and  shape  a  common  vision  of  the future for Sri Lanka, and at the same time to build in a strong minority rights regime in  the  governance  structure,  putting  in  place  legal  and  institutional  guarantees  for equality and non-discrimination for all. It is important that the Government present a clear vision and road map, with timelines as necessary for the implementation of these important processes in a uniform manner.

65.Mechanisms    such    as    the    Secretariat    for    Coordinating    Reconciliation Mechanisms  and  the  Office  for  National  Unity  and  Reconciliation  will  undoubtedly play  an  important  role  in  moving  the  country  forward  along  with  other  existing independent   commissions.   The   Special   Rapporteur   particularly   welcomes   the enhanced  independence  of  the  National  Human  Rights  Commission.  She  urges  the Government  at  all  levels  to  extend  full  institutional  cooperation  to  these  institutions and mechanisms, ensuring that sufficient human and financial resources are provided for  the  full  implementation  of  their  mandates.  Recruitment  of  staff  from  diverse ethnic  and  religious  communities  should  continue  to  be  encouraged.  The  Office  of Missing Persons should be established swiftly and transparently.

Minorities commission

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