UN official says torture continues in post war Sri Lanka

The UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Juan E. Mendez on Saturday said that torture still continues in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to reporters after concluding his visit to Sri Lanka, Mendez however said that the number of torture-related incidents have reduced when compared to the peak of the war.

Sri Lanka defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009 after 30 years of war but was accused of committing grave human rights abuses in the process.

The current government which took office last year had promised change and also accountability over incidents related to the war.

Mendez and the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of the justice system Monica Pinto conducted a joint visit to Sri Lanka from April 29 to May 7 to assess recent developments and identify challenges related to the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and to the independence of the justice system.

"Sri Lanka is at a crucial moment in its history and we hope that our recommendations will contribute to setting out a path for the future that will be fully aligned with the international human rights obligations of the country," the Special Rapporteurs added.

The human rights experts met with governmental authorities, members of the judiciary and prosecution services, lawyers, civil society, the National Human Rights Commission, and victims and their families.

The Special Rapporteurs will each present a comprehensive report containing their findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2017 and June 2017, respectively. Endit