The UN human rights chief today expressed concern over young people – in Sri Lanka and in the diaspora – who are frozen in the hatred that fuelled the war, and said she is disturbed when religion is misused to mobilize young people of one community against another.
“But I am greatly encourages when I hear about young people, coming together from across communities, to defend independent universities, to fight discrimination against women or people with different sexual identity and orientation, to say no to ethnic and religious violence,” Navanethem Pillay said, addressing Sri Lanka’s Youth Parliament.
She stated that as a third of Sri Lanka’s population, the youth have this potential but like youth everywhere, they face many pressures and frustrations.
“Sri Lanka is lucky to have such a comprehensive school system, but I know that while many of you qualify for university, finding university places is extremely difficult,” Pillay said.
And despite new opportunities in Sri Lanka’s economy, youth unemployment and underemployment, particularly for young women, is very high. Many of you face additional barriers of discrimination in terms of gender, language and class, she said.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said she was sad to learn that Sri Lanka has such a high rate of youth suicide, and urged the government to find ways to address this problem and translate such despair to hope.
“I am mindful of a generation that has been directly affected by the war – young people who have lost years of education, are now responsible for their families, or were even conscripted to fight by the LTTE and other groups – and I have wanted to see what progress is being made in their rehabilitation and to provide equal opportunities for young people in all parts of the country,” she said.
“I am sure like young people everywhere, you have many questions and concerns about the United Nations and what is going on elsewhere in the world.”
“So I am pleased to take this time to hear from you, to respond to your questions and to take your concerns and ideas back with me. The United Nations is very much here to support you, and above all your empowerment and participation in building a new Sri Lanka and a better world,” she added.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who is on a week-long visit in the island, said she is pleased to come to Sri Lanka at a time the war has ended and the scourge of terrorism has “hopefully” been put behind.
“This is a moment when the new generation in Sri Lanka can transcend the differences, prejudices and politics of their parents and play a transformative role in building a new society,” she said.
