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Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 05.32 GMT |
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IIGEP departure will not affect functions of CoI -
Minister Samarasinghe |
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"The departure of the International Group of Eminent
Persons (IIGEP) does not in any way adversely affect
the ability of the Commission of Inquiry(CoI) to
carry forward its inquires and investigations in
keeping with international standards," said the
Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights,
Mahinda Samarasinghe.
Minister Samarasinghe addressing media following the
resignation of members of the IIGEP and the issuance
of its 6th public statement further stated that the
IIGEP was initially established to observe the work
of the CoI in order to assure that it met with
international norms and standards pertaining to such
inquiries and investigative processes.
"However, it is with regret that the Government
notes that some outgoing members of the IIGEP have
found it necessary to make public statements and
comments in a manner that was in violation of the
mandate entrusted to them by the President.
"The Government is concerned by the failure on the
part of the IIGEP to comment positively on the vast
amount of useful and important progress the CoI has
made in ascertaining the truth pertaining to the
several incidents under investigation and inquiry.
"The Government regrets that the IIGEP has issued
several public statements which potentially could
adversely affect public perceptions of the CoI."
However, the Government will continue to provide
necessary resources to the Col enabling it to
efficaciously give effect to its mandate. This
remains the case even if the Government decides that
IIGEP will not be re-activated," Minister added.
Minister pointed out several measures taken by the
Commission and by the Government to carry out
several recommendations made by the IIGEP. Such
measures already adopted by the Commission and
supported by the Government include:
(i) Establishing the panel of counsel from the
unofficial bar;
(ii) Expediting the enactment of a law to provide
protection to victims and witnesses;
(iii) Receiving the evidence of witnesses living
outside Sri Lanka through video conferencing; and
(iv) Enhancing financial allocations for the
Commission and making such financial resources
readily available .
The Minister stated that under these circumstances,
and in light of the commencement of public inquiries
into incidents under inquiry and investigation, it
cannot be concluded that the relevant competent
authorities have not paid due regard to
recommendations made by the IIGEP. Thus, the
government is of the view that the reasons cited by
the current membership of the IIGEP to justify their
resignation, are of little merit.
Minister further added that all previous Public
Statements were issued to coincide with
international events such as Sessions of the UN
Human Rights Council, where interested parties
attempted to make use of these Statements. The 5th
Public Statement was issued four weeks ago, to
coincide with the 7th Session of the UN Human Rights
Council. The present 6th Public Statement is issued
at a time when preparations are underway for Sri
Lanka's first appearance before the new Universal
Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism before the Human
Rights Council.
The Government views such conduct and any attempt to
promote unwarranted international intervention in
Sri Lanka with the utmost disfavor, the Minister
stated.
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