Sri Lanka taking measures to prevent all forms of irregular migration

Sri Lanka is taking measures to prevent all forms of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and smuggling of human beings, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was told.

Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to UN in Geneva, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha made this remark delivering a statement following the opening remarks by the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau at the 29th session of UNHRC.

Sharing Sri Lanka’s views on the report (A/HRC/29/36/add.1) presented to the UNHRC by the Special Rapporteur François Crépeau pursuant to his visit to Sri Lanka from 19 to 26 May 2014, the Ambassador noted the SR’s recommendation that irregular migration should be considered an ‘administrative offence’ and not to criminalise migrants.

The Ambassador asserted that the Government was taking action against the traffickers under due processes, while treating the migrants as victims of smugglers.

Aryasinha welcomed the Special rapporteur’s recommendation to refrain from sending migrants where the legal and institutional framework necessary to guarantee the protection of their rights is not in place.

He said the authorities have been using mechanisms in this regard and continue to strengthen steps during the recruitment process, that are necessary to discourage migrant workers for their employment in countries where legal and institutional framework are insufficient.

The Sri Lankan envoy appreciated the Special Rapporteur’s visit to the island last year and said Crépeau’s visit was significantly important to Sri Lanka, not only as a step of engagement with the UN system but also as an important learning experience and an opportunity to exchange ideas and draw on best practices.

“This was an enriching exercise for the Sri Lankan authorities working on issues pertaining to migrant workers and in the industry,” Aryasinha said in his statement.

“The visit therefore contribute to the best practices already in place in Sri Lanka for safeguarding the right of migrant workers and also to identify areas which require further attention,” he said.

The Ambassador reiterated Sri Lanka’s commitment to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur “in the spirit of open and constructive engagement.” (Colombopage)