EU to closely follow Sri Lanka’s efforts in addressing human rights issues

Tuesday, 16 February 2016 00:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Brussels: The European Union Foreign Affairs Council Monday said that it will closely follow Sri Lanka’s efforts in addressing human rights issues.

The Foreign Affairs Council which met in Brussels Monday reaffirmed its strong commitment to the United Nations bodies tasked with the promotion and protection of human rights.

The Council said the EU will follow closely Sri Lanka’s efforts in addressing human rights issues and in establishing a credible process of transitional justice, accountability, and reconciliation.

The Council said the EU will again actively engage with the Human Rights Council and General Assembly Third Committee to defend and promote the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights, and will continue to draw the attention of these fora to human rights violations and abuses worldwide.

Mangala to brief US on progress towards sustainable peace

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is to visit the US next week where he will brief US officials on the progress made in the reconciliation process.

Samaraweera will attend a discussion at the US Institute of Peace on 25 February, co-sponsored by the Heritage Foundation, on how initiatives to advance reconciliation, post-conflict development and stronger democratic institutions are progressing.

Samaraweera told the U.N. Human Rights Council in September 2015 that the Government fully recognises that “the process of reconciliation involves addressing the broad areas of truth-seeking, justice, reparations and non-recurrence.”

The Foreign Minister will offer an update on the progress towards sustainable peace in Sri Lanka, including plans for economic development. The remarks will be followed by a moderated discussion and a question-and-answer period with the audience.

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal will also attend the event. (Colombo Gazette)