UPR Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will come under Universal Periodic Review  of the UN Human Rights Council on  15th of November at Palais des nations, in Geneva. ‘The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all UN Member States. The UPR is a State-driven process, under the […]

  Rights of persons with disabilities (PwDs) FACTS Although Sri Lanka boasts of a diverse populace, there is virtually no recognition of PwDs as a part of the diversity. Census carried out by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) in 2012 records 8.7% of the total population as PwDs but concerns remain regarding the […]

  Up-country Tamil Plantation Community (Estate sector) FACTS Estate sector workers are predominately Tamil, of Indian origin and Sri Lankan citizens. They have been working in Tea plantations for 150 years now. They are among the most disadvantaged and disempowered groups, with average life expectancy and literacy below the national average, and an infant mortality […]

  Militarisation of the North in Sri Lanka FACTS Government has not implemented any promised security sector reforms in order to pave the way for de-militarisation of the former war zone. Military presence in the Northern Province is hugely disproportionate. Large areas of land are being occupied for these camps. Military is still engaged in […]

    Freedom of Expression. FACTS. Only a few investigations in to killings, abductions and assaults of journalists during the decade ending in 2015 have been initiated. No indictments served on any suspect so far. No investigation has been initiated on killings, abductions and assaults of Tamil journalists and media workers. No investigation has been […]

At Sri Lanka’s last UPR, the Government accepted recommendations from South Africa and Iran (numbers 127.68 and 127.69). These recommendations called on Sri Lanka to “criminalize all forms of violence against women and hold perpetrators accountable”, and to implement the “Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.” These recommendations have not been successfully implemented. Human rights victims, […]

Image: Dr. Nimalka Fernando speaking at the side event. ©s.deshapriya. Speaking at a side event at  36th session of the UNHRC, Dr. Nimalka Fernando, chair of the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) stated that ‘the international promises made by the Sri Lanka government  must be absorbed into the UPR to prevent […]