Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on Sunday interacted in Jaffna with groups of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and family members of those who disappeared during and following the conflict.
After meeting Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and Governor H.M.G.S. Palihakkara, Mr. Hussein said the discussion focused on the challenges faced by people in the Province and also the plans and achievements in connection with the region. The visit follows the adoption of a resolution by the United Nations Human Rights Council in October on accountability for the alleged human rights violations during the final stages of the civil war
Meanwhile, sections of activists and jurists have urged the High Commissioner to see to it that the Sri Lankan government holds “broad and transparent” consultations with regard to accountability.
Yolanda Foster, Amnesty International’s Sri Lanka expert, stated on Groundviews website that the High Commissioner must press the government to ensure that the appropriate justice, truth and reparation mechanism — one inclusive of all affected communities — is developed.
In an open letter to the UN Human Rights Chief, a group of legal experts, including Justice (retired) A.P. Shah said that when it comes to participation of foreign judges and prosecutors, views of the victims had to be accommodated.
