UN supports Human Rights Chief’s work in Sri Lanka
Friday, 6 September 2013 03:35
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
NEW YORK: The Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon fully supports the work the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay was doing during her recent visit to Sri Lanka, the Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said Wednesday.
Responding to a question regarding the complaint made by Pillay that people who spoke to her during her visit to North had been questioned by the Sri Lankan security personnel, the Spokesperson said that all human rights defenders should be free to go about their work.
“Certainly, we believe that no one should face intimidation for speaking to the United Nations,” Haq said at the press briefing.
“We also encourage respect for the work of all human rights defenders. And we, needless to say, we respect. We fully support the work that Navanetham Pillay was doing while she was on the ground in Sri Lanka,” the Spokesperson added.
At the end of her week-long tour in the country from 25-31 August, the UN Human Rights Chief alleged that some people, including priests and journalists, who met with her had been questioned by the police and security forces.
The New York-based right group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) Tuesday urged the Sri Lankan government to promptly investigate the allegations.
