UN Human Rights Council 49: UK statement on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group
The UK's Global Ambassador for Human Rights, Rita French delivered this statement on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group.
Thank you Mr President
This statement is by the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Germany, North Macedonia, Malawi, Montenegro, the United Kingdom and the United States.
We thank the High Commissioner for her update. We acknowledge first steps by Sri Lanka to address key reforms, but note that progress since Council resolution 46/1 is limited. In particular, slow progress by the Office of Missing Persons in fully investigating cases since the release of the preliminary list of missing persons is troubling.
Our concerns over surveillance and intimidation of civil society persist and detentions, threats and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders continue. It is crucial that civic space remains open.
The releases on bail of Ahnaf Jazeem and Hejaaz Hizbullah are welcome as are first efforts to bring the Prevention of Terrorism Act in line with international human rights law. But the proposed changes to the PTA are very limited and our longstanding concerns remain.
The new ‘One Country One Law’ taskforce risks undermining Sri Lanka’s pluralist society. We urge Sri Lanka to ensure that this taskforce’s work is inclusive and non-discriminatory.
We call for full cooperation with the High Commissioner and remain ready to support the Government on the implementation of resolution 46/1.
Thank you