UNHRC Core Group urges protection of expression, association
THE MORNING LK NEWS
22/06/23 – 8 hours ago
The Core Group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has urged the Sri Lankan authorities to protect the freedoms of expression and association.
Led by the United Kingdom (UK), the Core Group comprises Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United States.
In a joint statement issued by UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, the Core Group said that it remains concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA). While acknowledging the ongoing efforts to replace the PTA, the Core Group urged the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that terrorism legislation is consistent with the country’s international obligations.
The Core Group’s statement also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, inclusivity and of building meaningfully on the past work and recommendations that address the root causes of the conflict and impunity.
Sri Lanka should safeguard its representative democracy by maintaining voters’ confidence in the country’s electoral systems and by ensuring the independence of its institutions and commissions, the statement read further.
Welcoming Sri Lanka’s initial steps towards addressing concerns around land-related returns, long-term detentions and corruption, the Core Group said these steps can provide a basis to begin a process to protect the rights of all Sri Lankans, from all ethnic and religious communities.
Further, the Core Group called on Sri Lanka to work with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk and his office, adding that it would remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC Resolution 51/1.