UK Minister welcomes Lankan initiative on human rights

[Wednesday, March 14, 2007 - 8.30 GMT]  

Addressing the 4th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 12, United Kingdom’s International Human Rights, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Ian McCarthy called upon all Council members to show “commitment to the historic endeavour of building this new human rights body (OHCR) and to human rights themselves”.
  
In that context he “welcomed the formation of the International Independent Eminent Persons Group (IIEPG)” appointed by Sri Lanka to assist the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and investigate into alleged violation of human rights. “The effective investigation of human rights violations, and holding their perpetrators to account, would be, for the Government of Sri Lanka, a powerful statement that there should be no impunity for human rights violations”, he added.
  
Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the Council the same day thanked the OHCR for advice and support extended to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry.
  
Three countries, France, Sweden and Switzerland expressed concern about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka during the deliberations of the Council Session. The OHCR has 39 member countries.

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Last Updated Date: March 14, 2007 - 8.30 GMT