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GENEVA / ZEID SRI LANKA
STORY: GENEVA/ ZEID SRI LANKA
TRT: 02:35
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 22 MARCH 2017 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Exterior, Palais des Nations
2. Pan, ceiling human rights room down to delegates
3. Med shot, panel
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
”Although progress to establish transitional justice mechanisms has been slow, I am heartened by the recent report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, synthesizing thousands of submissions from across all ethnic and religious groups. I urge the Government to embrace and make the broadest possible use of the report, following its inclusive and thoughtful consultations”.
5. Med shot, Sri Lanka delegate
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
”In the face of rising frustration among victims, a number of confidence-building measures must be accelerated. These include the release of land occupied by the military, which remains slow. While an effort is underway to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with legislation that complies with international human rights law, this work has yet to be concluded”.
7. Med shot, Sri Lanka delegate
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“I am particularly troubled by the lack of progress in a number of emblematic cases. The consistent failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish serious crimes appears to reflect a broader reluctance or fear to take action against members of the security forces. Combined with a general lack of trust in the impartiality of the justice system regarding past violations, this continuing unwillingness or inability to address impunity reinforces the need for international participation in a judicial mechanism”.
9. Med shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Sri Lanka’s courageous civil society and human rights defenders must be protected from harassment and intimidation. I am disturbed to hear reports of intimidation of members of civil society here in the Palais des Nations. Assistant Secretary-General Andrew Gilmour, the system-wide coordinator for action on reprisals, will be looking into this”.
11. Various shots, Human Rights Room
Justice for human rights abuses committed during Sri Lanka's 25 year civil war has been slow in coming, according to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.
Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva today (22 Mar), Zeid called on Sri Lankan authorities to do more to signal an end to impunity, harassment and torture by security forces.
He also said, ”Although progress to establish transitional justice mechanisms has been slow, I am heartened by the recent report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms, synthesizing thousands of submissions from across all ethnic and religious groups." He added, "I urge the Government to embrace and make the broadest possible use of the report, following its inclusive and thoughtful consultations.”
Sri Lanka's Prime Minister recently rejected the establishment of an international court, as suggested by the High Commissioner.
The UN rights chief said “in the face of rising frustration among victims, a number of confidence-building measures must be accelerated." He added, "These include the release of land occupied by the military, which remains slow. While an effort is underway to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and replace it with legislation that complies with international human rights law, this work has yet to be concluded.”
According to the High Commissioner, the perceived impunity for Sri Lanka's security forces has only increased the need for an international justice commission to heal the country's wounds.
He said, “I am particularly troubled by the lack of progress in a number of emblematic cases.”
Zaid added, “The consistent failure to effectively investigate, prosecute and punish serious crimes appears to reflect a broader reluctance or fear to take action against members of the security forces. Combined with a general lack of trust in the impartiality of the justice system regarding past violations, this continuing unwillingness or inability to address impunity reinforces the need for international participation in a judicial mechanism.”
“Sri Lanka’s courageous civil society and human rights defenders must be protected from harassment and intimidation. I am disturbed to hear reports of intimidation of members of civil society here in the Palais des Nations," the High Commissioner said, referring to episodes of abuse that allegedly have taken place by Government authorities at the UN in Geneva. He said that the UN's the system-wide coordinator for action on reprisals, Andrew Gilmour, would look into these allegations.
Tomorrow (Thursday) the Human Rights Council will vote on a resolution on “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka”.
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