A report to UNHRC 26: A significant number of people still living in protracted displacement in Sri Lanka

12.    From 2 to 6 December 2013, the Special Rapporteur undertook, at the invitation of the Government, a visit to Sri Lanka. During his visit, the Special Rapporteur travelled to Colombo, Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Killinochchi, and met with internally displaced persons.

13.    The Special Rapporteur welcomed the efforts made by the Government of Sri Lanka to rebuild the infrastructure destroyed during the conflict and the demining in return areas, and stressed that the post-conflict reconstruction process should also focus on addressing durable solutions for all internally displaced persons, both those who had been relocated by the Government and those who had returned to their areas of origin on a comprehensive basis. In the national context of transition from relief to development in the aftermath of conflict, it is essential that the Government and development actors engage in resolving the issue of displaced persons and address their durable solutions needs and livelihoods in development plans, the rule of law, human rights and good governance programmes.

14.    The Special Rapporteur welcomed the agreement to conduct a joint needs assessment, which will be vital for establishing agreed sets of statistical data on the number of internally displaced persons who have returned or been resettled. There is a need to complete this exercise expediently in order to establish how many people are still displaced, and also how many still do not have access to their original lands. The Special Rapporteur called for data, disaggregated by gender and age, on internal displacement, for adequate planning, as well as a survey of the intention of displaced persons with regard to durable solutions.

15.    The Special Rapporteur expressed concern at the significant number of people still living in protracted displacement, as well as at those who have returned or settled elsewhere in the North but still live in very precarious conditions and need more durable housing, access to social services, and livelihood opportunities.

82.    The Special Rapporteur highlights the importance of adopting a human rights-based approach to internal displacement, which would enable all stakeholders involved in internal displacement to work hand-in-hand through its different phases.

83.    The Special Rapporteur reiterates the importance of establishing accountability mechanisms and strengthening reconciliation processes to ensure that those alleged to have perpetrated human rights violations against internally displaced persons are brought to justice, and that the communities affected by conflict and internal displacement can move towards peace. Only if internally displaced persons are effectively protected and assisted, in accordance with the provisions set out in the Kampala Convention, can durable solutions be achieved, for the benefit of both displaced persons and host communities.