When it became clear that the committee wasn’t about to let the delegation off the hook, Sri Lanka’s long-time Geneva Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha rose to respond. But instead of providing direct answers, he delivered a preview of Sri Lanka’s presentation to the Human Rights Council during its 34th session, which began this Monday. In sending a delegation to the CEDAW Committee unprepared to answer obvious questions, the government betrays a lack of commitment to women’s rights issues. Governments and human rights activists watching Sri Lanka over the next few weeks during its review at the Human Rights Council would do well to remember Sri Lanka’s appalling performance before the CEDAW Committee. No one at the council should let Sri Lanka dodge critical questions a second time around.

Source: Sunday Times March 03, 2017 07:57 UTC