A/HRC/7/2 page 75 338. According to the reports, there is a growing culture of impunity for perpetrators of enforced disappearance, as the Government is not taking effective steps to bring rising numbers of disappearances under control. The path to achieving justice for the victims and their families is reportedly long and arduous, with delays and interferences by high officials in investigations and inquiries, as well as threats to witnesses and family members. 339. The Government’s announcement that it would invite an international commission to inquire into recent killings, disappearances and abductions in Sri Lanka promised to be a very important initiative. Nevertheless, announcements that the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons would only observe the work of the national Commission of Inquiry cast doubt on whether the International Group will be perceived as credible and independent by all sectors of society. 340. No response was received from the Government regarding this general allegation. Request for a visit 341. On 16 October 2006, the Working Group requested to undertake a mission to Sri Lanka in early 2007. The Government replied, stating that it would not be possible to schedule a visit for the Working Group during the requested period due to the planned visits of other special procedure mandates, but that the interest of the Working Group would be noted and given due consideration. 342. At the meeting held by the Working Group with representatives of the Government of Sri Lanka during the fourth session of the Human Rights Council, efforts were made to arrange the dates for the visit. Total cases transmitted, clarified and outstanding 343. In previous years and during the year under review, the Working Group has transmitted 12,463 cases to the Government; of those, 39 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the source, 6,530 cases have been clarified on the basis of information provided by the Government, 378 cases were found to be duplications by the Working Group and were therefore deleted, and 5,516 cases remain outstanding. Observations 344. The Working Group is gravely concerned at the increase in reported cases of recent enforced disappearances in the country. The Working Group is particularly concerned about the new worrying trend concerning recently reported cases in Colombo, in addition to the cases that have reportedly occurred in Jaffna, which seem to indicate a widespread pattern of disappearances in the country. 345. The Working Group is also concerned that many other cases may be occurring in the country and are not being reported because of fear of reprisals.