(d) Consider seeking international assistance with regard to the design, establishment, functioning and follow-up of the new Commission for truth, justice, reconciliation and non-recurrence. Situation during the visit A/HRC/33/51/Ad d.2 Paragraphs 49-51 Measures taken/current situation OMP Sri Lanka is yet to establish a truth commission. Centre for Justice and Change I am not sure whether anything was done on this. Families of the Disappeared The Opposition to the reconciliation program accuses that the whole program of the government is and international conspiracy against Sri Lanka. So under these opposition the government has to go ahead with their promises. Level of implementation and observations (to be completed by the WGEID) The Working Group notes information according to which a technical team was reportedly sent on a study visit to South Africa and statements that different experts have been consulted and encourages Sri Lanka to consider seeking further assistance. ICJ Former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera stated that the Prime Minister has been consulting different experts on the contours of truth seeking mechanisms. 73 According to Samaraweera, in March 2016 a technical team was sent to South Africa to study the TRC established in South Africa.74 81. The Working Group recommends that the envisaged truth commission: (a) Be composed of independent and professional personnel of the highest moral authority and with extensive human rights experience based on a full and thorough vetting process; 73 74 Paragraph 51 Government A Working Group comprising senior academics, government officials and transitional justice experts was appointed to draft legislation on a truth-seeking mechanism by considering the recommendations of the Consultative Task Force. The draft legal framework on the proposed truth-seeking commission was presented to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval on 23 October 2018 is currently awaiting approval. The framework proposes to establish the Truth Commission with 07 commissioners to reflect the pluralistic nature of Sri Lanka, including gender and all members to be persons of integrity and credibility appointed on the basis of their knowledge of, or practical experience in, disciplines relating to law including human rights and humanitarian law, history, social sciences, psychology, and/or investigation, appointed by the President on the recommendations of the Constitutional Council. Centre for Justice and Change The Working Group notes that draft legislation on a future truth commission was presented to the Cabinet and that Commissioners will be required to be persons of integrity and have knowledge of practical experience of human rights and humanitarian law. However, it is concerned that the draft has not yet been made public and that no information was provided on plans for a vetting process. The Working Group encourages the Sri Lanka: Truth Seeking Commission will be in place in a few months’ time: Samaraweera, Sri Lanka Brief, 29 March 2017 http://srilankabrief.org/2017/03/srilanka-truth-seeking-commission-will-be-in-place-in-few-months-time-samaraweera/ Sri Lanka sent a technical team to South Africa to study the TRC Process, Sri Lanka Brief, 08 March 2016, http://srilankabrief.org/2016/03/sri-lanka-sent-a-technicalteam-to-south-africa-to-study-trc-process/ A/HRC/42/40/Add.1 54 Recommendations A/HRC/33/51/Add.2

Select target paragraph3

Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents