Statement by UN Watch
Agenda Item 2, UNHRC 30th Session
30th September 2015
Delivered by Tiffany Chen
Thank you, Mr. President.
UN Watch welcomes the report on Sri Lanka, and we wish to address three particular concerns.
First, we are disappointed by the government’s refusal to meet or cooperate with the investigation on Sri Lanka by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Worse, government officials in various ways sought to undermine the investigation, with numerous reports of surveillance, threats, intimidation, harassment and interrogation of grass roots activists, human rights defenders and potential witnesses.
Second, we are alarmed by the documented violations of the laws of armed conflict by both government forces and the LTTE, including unlawful killings, extrajudicial executions, sexual violence, mass detentions, enforced disappearances, torture, the recruitment of children, and the denial of humanitarian assistance.
Third, we condemn the oppression of the Tamils and other minority groups. The inquiry has documented numerous cases of targeted killings of politicians, where the victims are often those of Tamil descent. Enforced disappearances continue unabated, with the most vulnerable group being Tamil males in government-controlled areas.
Mr. President,
The new Government has stated its willingness to cooperate with the Council in order to improve the situation in the country. We hope that will come to fruition. The people of Sri Lanka deserve an end to impunity and a process for reconciliation and accountability. That is the only way to ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for all.
Thank you, Mr. President.
