Geneva, Switzerland – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has delivered a bleak assessment of Sri Lanka’s multifaceted human rights crisis. Türk highlighted that the Sri Lankan government has failed to fulfill hopes for a much-needed transformation and has instead adopted or proposed laws that could have serious repercussions on fundamental rights, the rule of law, and democratic governance. These laws, including the Online Safety Act and the Anti-Terrorism Bill, curtail civil liberties and restrict freedom of assembly, association, and expression.
Türk also emphasized that the government’s crackdown on dissent and its failure to ensure accountability for serious abuses have further exacerbated the crisis. Families of individuals who disappeared during the civil war continue to face surveillance, intimidation, arrests, and violence. Although the government claims to be undertaking a “truth and reconciliation” process, Türk argued that a credible truth-seeking process remains absent.
Despite the government’s supposed efforts to stabilize the economy, poverty rates have surged to 27.9 percent, leaving nearly two-thirds of households worse off than before the crisis. Türk called on international financial institutions and creditors to grant Sri Lanka fiscal space in order to protect social and economic rights.
The UN’s engagement with Sri Lanka through Human Rights Council resolutions has played a crucial role in maintaining international scrutiny and sustaining hope for justice. However, the “core group” of countries leading these resolutions expressed concern about recent legislative developments related to human rights, reconciliation, and civic space in Sri Lanka.
Türk’s assessment highlights the urgent need for action. With little hope for justice within Sri Lanka, member states of the UN should utilize the evidence gathered by the organization to initiate legal proceedings in their own courts. By taking this approach, there may be a chance for accountability and justice to prevail for the serious abuses committed in Sri Lanka.
The situation in Sri Lanka serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding human rights and democratic principles. The international community must continue to closely monitor the developments in Sri Lanka and advocate for the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms. Only through concerted efforts can the human rights crisis in Sri Lanka be effectively addressed and the path towards justice and reconciliation be paved.