896. With reference to the fact that the Sri Lankan Government accepted 45 recommendations and refused to accept 26 others, Denmark found that the report does not sufficiently provide adequate recommendations. It noted that the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons in charge of observing the work of the Commission of Inquiry has recently decided to terminate its observation mission due - according to the majority of the Eminent Persons - to a lack of political will to support a search for the truth. Denmark would have liked a firm recommendation that the Commission be given total independence and the necessary funds. According to Denmark, strong recommendations were missing in the report, including to bring perpetrators to justice and to establish an international human rights monitoring mission. It further stated that the establishment of an office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should have been accepted and that intimidations and killings of journalists must be stopped. Regarding 25 measures recommended by the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture, Denmark noted that non-binding words without a set timetable are easily forgotten without any international observers or follow-up measures in the Council.
897. Sweden welcomed the fact that Sri Lanka agreed to a large number of recommendations, including the Swedish delegation’s recommendation on measures to investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible for serious human rights crimes such as enforced disappearances and the recruitment of child soldiers. Sweden hoped that all these recommendations would be implemented and followed up on, so that progress can be reported at the second round of the universal periodic review, if not earlier. Sweden regretted however the lack of support for many of the recommendations, including those concerning independent international monitoring and the establishment of a proper presence of OHCHR in Sri Lanka, made by several delegations, including Sweden. Sweden remained convinced that increased international and independent monitoring would make a significant contribution to improving the human rights situation and the persisting impunity, which continued to give cause for great concern.
898. Algeria appreciated Sri Lanka’s willingness to address recommendations made by the Working Group and was encouraged by the voluntary commitment of Sri Lanka to guarantee civil and political rights as well as economic, social and cultural rights by drafting a constitutional charter on a human rights protection framework to harmonize Sri Lanka’s constitutional human rights guarantees with its international obligations. It welcomed the efforts of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights to organize a regional seminar for parliamentarians and to launch a national human rights awareness campaign. Algeria was encouraged by the steps taken to safeguard and advance the rights of children and women, and efforts to address the situation and rehabilitation of former child soldiers. It also welcomed the commitment to restoring democracy and good governance in the newly liberated areas of the country.
899. Canada restated its strong recommendation that Sri Lanka allow for a full investigation of all allegations of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings and bring perpetrators to justice. Canada noted that evidence given during the public hearings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry has implicated members of the security forces in the killing of 17 members of Action contre la faim and in the murder of 5 boys in Trincomalee. Canada recommended that Sri Lanka fully support the Commission of Inquiry in determining the facts of these cases and take action so that the perpetrators are brought to justice. Canada also reiterated the importance of Sri Lanka ensuring that the Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal and any other group with which it is affiliated disarm, release the child soldiers within their ranks, and stop such recruitment. Canada also continued to emphasize the importance of Sri Lanka providing for the independence of a national human rights protection institution and urged Sri Lanka to accept the presence of OHCHR with a full mandate to report on the situation throughout the country.
900. Qatar welcomed the steps taken for the promotion of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It welcomed that in spite of complex and recurrent challenges faced by Sri Lanka which impede its reform process, Sri Lanka has positively responded to the Council and spared no efforts since the review to examine means to respond to the recommendations of the Working Group. It highly valued Sri Lanka’s acceptance of most of the recommendations, which proves its aspirations to promote all human rights and to consolidate the rule of law. Qatar welcomed Sri Lanka’s declaration to continue its institutional capacity-building in the field of human rights with the support of the international community, including OHCHR, and to guarantee the independence of its institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles. It welcomed the continuation of dialogue and cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms. It noted that Sri Lanka has also accepted the recommendation calling for integrating all substantive provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in its national legislation, as well as the recommendation on the Convention against Torture. Qatar appreciated the acceptance to involve all civil society institutions in the universal periodic review process, in addition to accepting measures to guarantee access of vulnerable groups to humanitarian assistance, as well as civilian protection, including of human rights defenders and humanitarian workers. Qatar noted that all these reforms prove that Sri Lanka is promoting the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
901. China appreciated the serious and responsible attitude of Sri Lanka in answering the questions raised by the countries and in accepting most of the suggestions of the Working Group in an open and constructive spirit. China noted that Sri Lanka is a developing country, affected by terrorist activities, and that years of conflict and wars have caused serious disruption to its nation building process. Despite these, Sri Lanka has never given up its efforts to promote and protect human rights. It has established a national human rights committee and will implement its National Human Rights Plan. The human development index for Sri Lanka has moved up in the ranking of the region. China further noted the effective cooperation of Sri Lanka with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. It welcomed the fact that Sri Lanka would fully cooperate with the international community for the settlement of the issue of child soldiers, and would make further efforts to promote democracy and good governance. It expressed its hope that the international community, in a spirit of mutual respect and equality, would provide technical assistance to meet the real needs of the country.
902. Bahrain appreciated efforts made by Sri Lanka for the promotion and protection of human rights, in spite of the challenges it faced, including natural disasters. It noted that Sri Lanka’s constructive and positive approach during the universal periodic review process proves its willingness to develop human rights and achieve more progress in this field. It welcomed Sri Lanka’s initiative to implement a national plan of action in the field of human rights and its commitment to taking steps to rehabilitate former child soldiers, in cooperation with the international community. Bahrain welcomed that Sri Lanka accepted 45 recommendations and in addition made more than 25 voluntary pledges. It wished Sri Lanka all success in its efforts aimed at achieving progress in the field of human rights.
903. Indonesia commended Sri Lanka on the straightforward and transparent manner in which it answered the questions raised by the delegations on the various human rights issues. The tone of these replies was in keeping with the consistent efforts made by Sri Lanka and the good will and commitment it demonstrated in striving to maintain democratic standards. Indonesia noted that Sri Lanka has worked hard to keep the channels of communication open despite frequent and murderous terrorist attacks, and that it had fought consistently to uphold and protect human rights in difficult circumstances. Indonesia took note of Sri Lanka’s commitment to democracy and good governance. It noted that the national reconciliation efforts have been successful and should be consolidated through the extension and implementation of human rights standards and policies in all parts of the country. Sri Lanka’s strong commitment to this goal, notably through its initiative to establish and implement a national plan of action for the promotion and protection of human rights, the drafting of the projected constitutional charter and its clear identification of its capacity-building needs, should be appreciated. Indonesia also appreciated Sri Lanka’s positive and participatory approach to the universal periodic review. Indonesia commended Sri Lanka on its commitment to stepping up the rehabilitation of former child soldiers, through enhanced cooperation with the international community. Time should be given to Sri Lanka so that it has the opportunity to achieve the desired results.
904. Japan welcomed Sri Lanka’s voluntary commitments and its support to 45 recommendations, especially in relation to increased efforts to further prevent cases of kidnapping, forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions, putting an end to the culture of impunity by bringing all perpetrators to justice, and enhancing its capacity in the areas of crime investigation, judiciary and the National Human Rights Institution. Japan was concerned about not having seen tangible results so far and, with reference to the recent dissolution of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons, noted that it was important to secure an international presence in some form, in a manner acceptable to the Government of Sri Lanka, to
assist its efforts for the improvement of the situation. Japan reiterated that it expected further efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to improve its human rights situation, and that it continued to support these efforts by the Government.
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