HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Delivered by:- Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam
40th Session
ITEM 9 – General Debate
The Durban Declaration affirmed that the obstacles to overcoming racial discrimination and achieving racial equality mainly lie in the lack of political will by States, as well as the prevalence of racist attitudes and negative stereotyping”
Following the racist violence that targeted Muslims in the Central province of Sri Lanka last year, the SL Human Rights Commission conducted an inquiry from 9 to 12th of May, 2018. Representatives from the victim community met with commissioners and provided eye witness accounts.
At the conclusion of the inquiry, the commissioners stated that a final report will be released by July 2018. But after 10 months, no report has been released and the SLHRC is yet to make an explanation on what has caused the delay.
Consequently, no compensation has been paid to any of the victims despite Prime Minister himself admitting publicly that over 450 properties were destroyed during the violence apart from several deaths.
In addition to the SLHRC inquiry, both the TID & CID have carried out separate investigations.
While the STF was accused of beating up Muslims and forcing them to falsely admit that they were in possession of firearms, and complaints having been made against certain Sinhala doctors for refusing to treat the wounded Muslims, no investigations have taken place on these complaints, let alone charges being filed.
So, even after one year, there had been no justice. All the suspects accused of instigating violence have been bailed out, and no compensation for the victims! That is racism for you, Madam Vice President.
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