Abuse of power and economic crimes have impacted human rights in Sri Lanka - UN Rights Chief

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is facing an allegation on economic crimes for the very first time at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Nada Al-Nashif, the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the abuse of power and economic crimes have impacted human rights in Sri Lanka.

She told the 51st session of the UNHRC in Geneva on Monday (12) that the Sri Lankan situation is an important illustration of how human rights and corruption intersects.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the United Nations in a report to the UN Human Rights Council noted that Sri Lanka’s new Government should embark on a national dialogue to advance human rights and reconciliation, calling for accountability and deeper institutional reforms to prevent a recurrence of past violations. 

It added that for sustainable improvements to take place, however, it is vital to recognise and address the underlying factors which have contributed to the economic crisis, including embedded impunity for past and present human rights violations, economic crimes and endemic corruption.

This is in fact the first time that a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights hass referred to economic crimes in a report on Sri Lanka.

In reponse to the report, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that the High Commissioner’s report makes extensive reference to “economic crimes”. 

"It is observed that the High Commissioner’s report makes extensive reference to “economic crimes”. Apart from the ambiguity of the term, it is a matter of concern that such reference exceeds the mandate of the OHCHR. In this context, we recall the paramount importance of adhering to UNGA resolutions 60/251, 48/141 and the IB package," he said.