IBA to launch remote mission if Lanka refuses to grant access

• Powerful legal association writes to GoSL requesting access for second delegation
• IBA official says remote mission was also conducted for Fiji after delegation was denied entry

By Dharisha Bastians

The Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association (IBAHRI) is set to launch a remote fact finding mission into the state of Sri Lanka’s judicial system if the Government refuses to grant a second delegation access, a spokesperson for the organization told Daily FT yesterday.

The IBAHRI has written to the Government of Sri Lanka through the Ministry of External Affairs requesting permission for a delegation to enter the country in order to conduct a mission visit.

“The IBAHRI has also notified the relevant authorities that in the event that permission to enter Sri Lanka is not granted a remote mission will be conducted,” Romana St. Matthew – Daniel of the IBA Press Office told Daily FT.

Daily FT learns that the IBA has granted Sri Lanka time till 6 March to authorize entry for the second delegation before the organization proceeds with the appointment of a remote mission.

In a controversial move, the Government of Sri Lanka revoked entry visas for the first IBAHRI delegation that was to be headed by former Indian Chief Justice J.S. Verma last month. The Government claimed the delegation had attempted to enter Sri Lanka under pretense of being tourists.

According to the IBA Spokesperson, the February visit of the IBAHRI delegation was aimed at examine the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession in the country.  The delegation was to publish a report detailing the mission’s main findings and recommendations, she said.

“However, shortly before travel was due to commence the visas for the members of the IBAHRI delegation were revoked and suspended,” she confirmed.

The facilitation of a remote mission follows organisational policy and international standards and practice, the IBA Spokesperson said.

“In 2009 the IBAHRI released a report of a remote mission to Fiji after an expert delegation had been refused entry in 2008,” St. Matthew-Daniel explained.

Until Sri Lanka denied access to the IBAHRI delegation last month, Fiji was the only country to have refused entry to the high profile team from the powerful legal association in 2008. Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth of Nations, one year later.