Lanka says zero tolerance on torture

Sri Lanka today reiterated its policy of zero tolerance on torture at the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT), government sources said.

This was after the island's human rights commission and civil society organisations reported on going cases of torture under custody.

The UNCAT session in Geneva began its reviewing of Sri Lanka.

Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya said that the government in June this year had joined the National Human Rights Commission to march against torture, sending a message at the highest level of government regarding its commitment to zero tolerance on torture.

The government, keeping in line with its constructive engagement with the Human Rights Treaty mechanisms has taken several progressive policy measures over the last two years, recognising the importance of a transparent and independent mechanism for investigation into alleged incidents of torture in custody, the Sri Lanka statement at the sessions said.
 

He said that in May 2016 the cabinet approved an Inter-Ministerial Committee tasked with drafting the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2017-2021, assisted by a Steering Committee of officials and experts and drafting committees working on each of the thematic areas.

Prevention of Torture is one of the thematic areas focused in developing the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2017- 2021.

The Sri Lanka statement came after a call by the International Truth and Justice Project on the UN to investigate continued abductions, torture and sexual violence blamed on the security forces.

The local civil society in their reports had submitted to lack of legal safeguards, legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture.