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Scars of terrorism and conflict yet to heal in Sri Lanka - Pillay
Jun 10, 201402:27 PM
Calling on the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the UN panel tasked with probing allegations of human rights violations, outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Tuesday said that scars created by terrorism and conflict have yet to heal in the island nation.
She stated that last month marked the fifth anniversary of the end of the war in Sri Lanka, “where the scars created by terrorism and conflict have yet to heal.”
“My Office has now put in place a staff team that will be supported by several experts and Special Procedures mandate holders, to conduct the comprehensive investigation mandated by this Council in order to advance accountability, and thus reconciliation.”
“I encourage the Government to take this opportunity to cooperate with a credible truthseeking process,” Pillay said in her opening remarks delivered at the Human Rights Council’s 26th session today (June 10) in Geneva.
She also highlighted issues pertaining to caste and Dalit discrimination as one of the major agendas during future discussions on human rights.
Pillai, who is to be replaced by Jordan’s Zeid Al Hussein soon, regrets, certain countries refuse to discuss contentious issues related to discrimination.
Calling upon everyone to be treated equally, Pillay in her statement says, “Dalit or Brahmin, Peul or Pole, gay or heterosexual, tycoon or pauper, woman, child or man – regardless of ethnicity, age, form of disability, beliefs; or economic might” are all “human beings are equal in dignity.”
Insisting that “all, without discrimination, are entitled to the same rights”, Pillay says, “I urge this Council to continue to maintain the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights, including the right to development.”
