A/HRC/8/46 Page 11 hostilities, and about the little concerted efforts to effectively investigate such violations. It asked about steps to protect the human rights of victims from minority communities which are disproportionately affected. While noting the zero- tolerance policy for child recruitment and steps made to rehabilitate former child soldiers, New Zealand remained concerned at reports that child recruitment continues. New Zealand recommended that Sri Lanka take further steps to improve the effectiveness of its measures to combat the recruitment of child combatants and welcomed Sri Lanka’s comments on this proposed recommendation. 48. Brazil, while welcoming the adoption of institutional measures, expressed concern about the implementation of international human rights treaties and about integration and harmonization of its national legislation therewith. Brazil enquired about measures taken to strengthen the independence, impartiality and effectiveness of the NHRC and to guarantee the rule of law, particularly in the context of the ‘Emergency Regulations.’ Brazil recommended to Sri Lanka to (a) extend standing invitations to the special procedures and (b) ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture. 49. Romania noted the creation of a commission to investigate allegations of abduction and recruitment of child soldiers by various forces, and enquired about how it operates, results achieved, and other measures Sri Lanka will take to fully implement its obligations under Optional Protocol to CRC on the involvement of children in armed conflict. It recommended to Sri Lanka to investigate the role of security forces in child recruitment and hold those responsible accountable. Romania requested information on Sri Lanka’s intentions to combat child labour, the results achieved, and the lack of minimum age for marriage. 50. Addressing the Working Group, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, stated that, the political component of the Government’s approach to the resolution of the ethnic conflict is the maximum devolution of power within a unitary constitutional framework. The 13th Amendment, strives precisely to achieve political autonomy. Having militarily liberated the Eastern Province, the Government has just concluded the elections which has re-empowered the eastern Provincial Council. The Government intended to do the same in the northern province. The President of Sri Lanka has promised that the north, just like the east, will be militarily liberated and politically empowered by the holding of elections to an autonomous provincial council in the north. The President has appointed a high-level National Task Force for the northern province which will implement the programme of reconstruction and rehabilitation. The Government is attempting to revive, restore and re-activate the 13th Amendment which provides for full devolution of powers within a unitary State. 51. Responding to questions raised by States, Sri Lanka’s Attorney General Hon. C.R. De Silva, PC, stated that notwithstanding the serious nature of the security situation prevailing in Sri Lanka resulting from a reign of terror unleashed by the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world, the LTTE, it is not the policy of the State to adopt and enforce extraordinary measures that are outside the framework of the law. The Government has steadfastly insisted that all agents of the State should necessarily carry out arrests, detentions and investigations including interrogations, in accordance with the due process of the law and in a manner that would not infringe human rights. 52. As regards the issue of disappearances, it is not safe to consider the nature and the magnitude of the problem on the basis of unsubstantiated statistics. The Government is studying credible reports and information so as to identify the nature of the problem, its magnitude, possible reasons, and the identities of those who are responsible. It is not the policy of the State to illegally and surreptitiously arrest persons and detain them in undisclosed locations or to extrajudicially eliminate arrested and detained suspects. He said that the Government is determined to ensure that all complaints are comprehensively and impartially investigated into, perpetrators identified, and