GTF welcomes UNHRC recommendations on SL

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) considered the largest Tamil Diaspora organisation said it welcomes High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al Ra’ad Al Hussein’s recommendations on Sri Lanka lodged to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

In a web post issued on Tuesday the GTF said Hussein’s recommendations are a call for accelerated progress in Sri Lanka and for sustained international engagement to achieve responsive transitional justice

It further mentioned: “While acknowledging the Sri Lankan Government’s progressive initiatives on constitutional reforms, the ‘symbolic steps’ it has taken to promote reconciliation, and its vastly improved cooperation with United Nations.”

Commenting more over Hussein’s recommendations such as returning army occupied lands to rightful owners, charging or releasing the remaining detainees, reducing the military presence in the North and East, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, formulating effective victims and witness protection arrangements, embarking upon meaningful consultations with victims and their families  and implementing security sector reform, GTF said they would help build confidence among victims and minority communities.

The report was emphatic on the key question of the justice seeking process.

 “The High Commissioner remains convinced that international participation in the accountability mechanisms would be a necessary guarantee for the independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims, as Sri Lanka’s judicial institutions currently lack the credibility needed to gain their trust,” the web post noted.

In addition, the GTF appreciated the commitment shown by the High Commissioner’s Office and the member countries of the Council, as reflected in the content and tone set during the session, both in the oral update and in the ensuing statements. ‘Undoubtedly, this gives us hope that the International Community will continue to engage and contribute to make Sri Lanka’s transition a long term reality of peace, justice, political power-sharing and prosperity for all its people,’