International Commission of Jurists
ICJ submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

ICJ submission to the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka

Apr 16, 2012 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions

Under the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, the UN Human Rights Council Working Group on the UPR will be undertaking a review of Sri Lanka during its 14th session.

In a submission to the Working Group, the ICJ has focused on the discrete issues of:

  1. the failure of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and previous national commissions of inquiry to hold accountable those responsible for serious human rights violations;
  2. the systemic barriers affecting the efficacy of the habeas corpus writ as legal remedy for arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance;
  3. the ongoing detention of Sri Lankans in “rehabilitation camps” and the lack of any independent monitoring mechanism;
  4. Sri Lanka’s failure to implement witness protection measures;
  5. Sri Lanka’s failure to properly incorporate the Convention Against Torture into domestic law; and
  6. Sri Lanka’s party status to international human rights instruments and its cooperation with the UN treaty bodies and the Council’s Special Procedures.

Sri Lanka-ICJ submission UPR-non-judicial submission-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

Sri Lanka-Comparison second cycle-advocacy-2012 (full text in English, PDF)

Human Rights Council: ICJ oral statement in the general debate on the situation in Sri Lanka

Human Rights Council: ICJ oral statement in the general debate on the situation in Sri Lanka

Mar 30, 2012 | Advocacy

During the 19th session of the Human Rights Council, the ICJ made an oral statement during the General Debate concerning situations that require the Council’s attention.

Welcoming the initiative of the United States of America to introduce a draft resolution on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka, the ICJ emphasised that this initiative should receive wide support by Council members as an important first step to ensure that action towards reconciliation is taken, not just words.

Sri Lanka-oral intervention-advocacy-2012 (full text, PDF)

Concluding Observations, CEDAW/C/LKA/CO/7, 5 April 2011: Sri Lanka

Apr 5, 2011

24. The Committee is concerned that, despite the adoption of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, there are significant delays before cases are processed under this Act. It appears from the constructive dialogue that most cases are dealt with through police...
Side event: human rights in Sri Lanka, major challenges since May 2009

Side event: human rights in Sri Lanka, major challenges since May 2009

Sep 17, 2010 | Events

The side event, held during the 15th session of the UN Human Rights Council, will look into the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of May 2009.

The post-conflict phase in Sri Lanka is failing to meet minimal expectations on rule of law, democratic participation, investigation of, and accountability, for human rights violations, and ending impunity; not to mention social rehabilitation and political reconciliation after war. The side event will particularly focus on three issues: alleged war crimes, the fate of surrendered Tamil combatants and the governance on human rights and impunity.

Sri Lanka-rights challenges-event-2010 (full text in English, PDF)

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