Addressing human rights needs multi-pronged approach
by Jehan Perera The ongoing 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which runs from September 7 to October 7, 2026, in Geneva is important to Sri Lanka. Its outcome will send a signal to other international actors, including the European Union, as to whether Sri Lanka’s reform policy is on track. The […]
The 63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from September 7 to October 7, 2026, in Geneva, holds significant importance for Sri Lanka. The outcome of this conference will signal to other international actors, including the European Union, the effectiveness of Sri Lanka's reform policy. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, under the leadership of High Commissioner Volker Türk, presented a comprehensive update on Sri Lanka's performance over the past year.
While acknowledging progress in addressing financial fraud and economic crimes, the report emphasized that these achievements should not be considered equivalent to progress in addressing grave human rights violations from the armed conflict and political violence. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath may have believed that the response to the UN report could be managed by his representative in Geneva, thus avoiding his personal attendance.
Sumith Dassanayake, Sri Lanka's representative at the council, called for a comprehensive review of country-specific mandates within the UN Human Rights Council. Sri Lanka has faced repeated scrutiny since 2012 through successive UNHRC resolutions. Dassanayake argued that these mandates should be periodically assessed based on measurable objectives and tangible outcomes, reflecting confidence in the government's reform record recognized internationally.
The reports and statements at the Human Rights Council highlighted the government's efforts to combat corruption and economic crime. The anti-corruption drive included investigations into allegations involving high-ranking political figures, such as former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in connection with alleged misuse of public funds and the investigation into the controversial SriLankan Airlines Airbus transaction involving the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
These proceedings also extended to the military hierarchy, with an investigation reaching senior military figures regarding the 2008-2009 disappearance of 11 young men, mostly Tamil, linked to ransom demands. The pursuit of these cases is crucial in assessing the government's commitment to accountability beyond economic crimes and towards the rule of law.
However, it is important to note that the government has yet to establish a credible process to address the numerous cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and other serious human rights violations during the conflict, irrespective of the perpetrators.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
