Bill on human rights in Sri Lanka introduced; Lanka ready to revive talks with LTTE; Colombo welcomes Canada’s WTM ban
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print

    • Amid growing concerns over human rights violations and lack of effective mechanisms to remedy the situation, coupled with the recent rejection at the UN Human Rights Council, Colombo on June 17 introduced a draft bill for the “Assistance and Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses” in Parliament1. The bill had been pending for a long time. The enactment of legislation for protection of victims of crime and witnesses was one of the key recommendations made by the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), headed by Justice P.N. Bhagwati. The bill enlists victims’ and witnesses’ rights and entitlements, including the rights to apply and receive compensation for harm suffered as a result of being a victim of crime. Other provisions include the right to be informed of proceedings and events in the criminal justice process and of legal rights and remedies and of available services.

    In a significant development, Sri Lanka offered to hold talks with the LTTE after a two-year gap, admitting that the outfit did represent a ‘fair amount’ of Tamils. Basil Rajapaksa, the special advisor to President Rajapaksa however ruled out the immediate revival of the ceasefire scrapped in January of the current year2.

    Colombo also welcomed the announcement of the Canadian Government to list the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as a terrorist organisation, under the Criminal Code of Canada. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama noted that the Canadian decision, which became effective on June 13, was a timely action against the WTM which provided financial, material and moral support for terrorism3.

    Top