The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein yesterday said the government’s efforts to implement its commitments in Resolution 30/1 will require a comprehensive strategy on transitional justice that enables it to pursue different processes in a coordinated, integrated and appropriately sequenced manner.
“This will require the inclusive and meaningful engagement of all Sri Lankans,” he added, at the opening of the 32nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said he will present an oral update later in the session. Meanwhile, speaking on the global front in general. Prince Hussein said at next month’s High Level Political Forum, member states and civil society partners should push for real delivery on the Agenda’s promises, based on their core commitments to human rights.
“I also ask States to use their development aid more effectively, to promote the human rights goals that truly build development for the people,” he added.
While noting that his Office is dedicated to that goal, Prine Hussei said: “The objective of our scrutiny is to give States the benefit of detailed, fact-based analysis, and to use that analysis as the basis for cooperation programmes that assist States to improve their protection of human rights.” He said that in many situations, and especially when there are conflicting accounts, the independent, objective, and factual information his Office provides can play an important role to prevent further violations.
“I very much regret the refusal by some countries to permit my staff to have access in order to monitor and report on events. I must emphasise that non-cooperation by governments will not result in my Office remaining silent.
On the contrary, it creates a presumption of major violations, and may deprive local and national actors of the opportunity to explain and provide information about events,” he added.
He said that in updating the Council at the September session, he will list a number of countries where engagement with or access to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office is impeded.
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