Mahinda defends SL rights in Geneva
The Sri Lankan government offered to discuss vital human rights issues relating to Sri Lanka.
Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on Tuesday was responding to questions raised by Denmark, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany in Geneva. Sri Lanka has been accused by human rights groups of holding responsibility for number of human rights violations including disappearances and extra judicial executions and was widely discussed in local and international media. Minister Samarasinghe told the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council on Universal Periodic Review that Sri Lanka is committed to full cooperation with the Council. "We view our voluntary participation in this process as a further indication of this commitment", he said. Several countries reviewing the the record of Sri Lanka questioned the governments commitment to uphold human rights. The minister in his response said the Government invited civil society organisations to raise issues or concerns for inclusion in the National Report and all responses and communications received were given due consideration in the final version. Referring to questions raised by Denmark, Republic of Irealand, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany with regard to the establishment of an office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the minister said that the office is already represented in Sri Lanka by a Human Rights Advisor. This office, he said, was welcomed by the government that is now "discussing with the UNDP and the Human Rights Advisor on capacity building of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, the National Human Rights Commission and other national stake holders".