The full text of her statement regarding Sri Lanka is as followsMoving now to our written update on progress in promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka (A/HRC/37/23) between March 2017 and January 2018. We also welcome Sri Lanka’s accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and the adoption of the National Human Rights Action Plan. Yet, it is with much regret that we must report slow progress in establishing transitional justice mechanisms. Allegations of continuing use of torture and continued reports of harassment or surveillance of human rights defenders are more than worrying. Excellencies,Over several years now, the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Mr Pablo de Greiff, has engaged closely with Sri Lanka.

Source: Sunday Times March 22, 2018 01:41 UTC