Rights group says Lanka has fallen short

A human rights group in a letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Sri Lanka had fallen short of its commitment to safeguard human rights.

The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM ASIA) said Sri Lankas pledges fell short of substantive steps to ensure effective promotion and protection of human rights domestically and internationally.

In addition, we note that many of the pledges are vague and general, without specific information as to how they will be implemented in practice, FORUM-ASIA Executive Director Anselmo Lee said

In its letter the FORUM has included a list of pledges omitted by Sri Lanka and a set of questions that needed clarification by the Government.

We would be grateful if you could respond to these questions through an informal consultation with NGOs, or via e-mail at unadvocacy@forum-asia.org or via fax at +66 2 391 8801, the FORUM ASIA said.

It said though pledges were not legally binding, the Government had a moral obligation to implement them and to be held accountable to the people and the international community.

The FORUM insisted on an early response and an opportunity for consultation and dialogue with the civil society to demonstrate in practice Sri Lankas suitability as a possible member of the Human Rights Council.

Daily Mirror