Sri Lanka Briefing Note No31: Recommendations of the Nawaz Report on TRC

This Briefing Note is limited to the contours proposed by the 624-page volume one of the PCOI report with regard to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to be established in Sri Lanka.

INTRODUCTION

Over the decades since 2001, the government of Sri Lanka has appointed a number of Commissions of Inquiry to investigate serious human rights violations. Those violations include anti-Tamil programs, disappearances, war crimes etc.

Those commissions faced criticism from various quarters, including human rights organizations and international observers, for perceived shortcomings in terms of independence, impartiality, transparency, and effectiveness.

As the GOSL lacked genuine commitment to accountability and reconciliation, the implementation of recommendations from these commissions has been partial, slow and zero.

The main challenges to implementing these recommendations include political resistance, lack of political will, institutional barriers, and ongoing ethnic tensions.

Overall, the failure to fully implement those recommendations has contributed to ongoing concerns about impunity for human rights violations in Sri Lanka and has hindered efforts to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.

Table of Contents

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION COMMISSION.. 5

The overriding goal of the commission. 6

Need for victim centrality. 6

Powers of proposed for the TRC. 7

Segments to be consulted. 8

Gender Balance. 8

Independence of Commissioners. 9