No government has taken action on human rights violations though accountability should be given priority over human rights violations, Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu said on Wednesday.
He was testifying before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing alleged human rights violations, serious violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and other such offences in Sri Lanka.
“We need to take action in that regard,” Saravanamuttu said. “We need to know the steps taken in this regard. It should be handed over to a senior figure in this government to look into the progress of human rights and reconciliation,” Dr. Saravanamuttu said.
He further stated that the Geneva final resolution was to find out about accountability. In 2015, the previous government went to Geneva and said it would deploy four mechanisms in this regard to carry out reconciliation. They have created two mechanisms. All that is left is accountability and another. I do not think these two will be created.
The Commission is headed by Supreme Court Justice A. H. M. D. Nawaz and its other members are Retired Inspector General Chandra Fernando, retired District Secretary Nimal Abeysiri and former Jaffna Mayor Yogeswari Patkunarajah.
Dr. Saravanamuttu further mentioned that although the previous two governments had appointed three Commissions to look into human rights violations, it was necessary to look into whether their recommendations had been implemented.
Commission Chairman, Supreme Court Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz said that steps would be taken to study the matter extensively and submit an Interim Report with recommendations to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa soon.
The Judge further said that the Interim Report was being prepared and that steps would be taken to submit the final Report to the President as soon as the Commission completes its work.