LLRC implementation to be highlighted:

SL to present post-war progress to UNHRC

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Manisha Gunasekera will lead the Sri Lankan delegation at the 20th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), which will be held from June 18 to July 6 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilleke Amungama said yesterday.

The Council will hear presentations of reports from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN Secretary-General.

“Sri Lanka is expected to make a presentation on the progress it has achieved in the fields of human rights development, post-war reconciliation, resettlement of internally displaced persons and on the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC),” said Amunugama.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navaneetham Pillay is due to update the Council on the activities of her office on the first day.

A general debate on the annual report of the High Commissioner and reports of her Office and the Secretary-General will follow, said UNhcR sources.

The Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation will make presentation in the area of Human Rights after the general debate.

Asked about the composition of the Sri Lankan representatives participating in the Council, External Affairs Ministry Secretary Amunugama said the delegation will comprise Deputy Solicitor General Shavindra Fernando and Ministry Consultant on Human Rights Nishan Muthukrishna. “Senior officials of the External Affairs Ministry and the Plantation Ministry are also among the members of the Sri Lankan delegation.

‘Nishan Muthukrishna will be the Coordinator,” he said.

“None of the ministers will participate in the sessions,” he said. The Council will hold interactive dialogues with the human rights experts during the first week. The human rights experts are, the Special Rapporteur on the right of the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the Special Rapporteur on the right to education; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on extra judicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism;

the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises; the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of States on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights; the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights; the Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice; the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity; and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, according to UNHCR sources.