Chief of UN HR Concerned Over Communal Violence in Sri Lanka

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Al-Hussein has expressed alarm over reports of communal violence in Sri Lanka.

The UN High Commissioner said he would encourage UN Member States to explore the use of universal jurisdiction, in the absence of progress in accountability and transitional justice in Sri Lanka.

In the commission’s annual report and oral update to the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, Prince Zeid said there should be no impunity, either for the incitement that led to the attacks, or the attacks themselves.

He said “I regret the absence of meaningful progress. It is urgent, for the sake of the victims that progress be made on accountability and transitional justice. In the absence of such progress I would encourage Member States to explore the use of universal jurisdiction. The Council will be fully briefed in this regard on March 21st”.