Protection of Human Rights on the agenda

8 February 2010

Upon Government approval the joint UN Human Rights programme has started activities to strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity to protect and promote human rights of the citizens of the country. Sri Lanka is well prepared in terms of commitments made to the international human rights framework, and has national institutions established to follow up on these commitments. However, both the Government and the UN have recognized that further effort is needed to ensure that these commitments are fully realized, and to improve the human rights situation in the country. Drawing on the challenges highlighted in international forums including the UN Human Rights Council and through various Special Procedure Visits, the Government began in 2008 developing a National Human Rights Action Plan with the support of UNDP and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The first main component of the Joint Programme is to support the launching of the Action Plan for Human Rights and to put together an inclusive, accountable and responsive monitoring and co-ordination body for the Plan. The second component of the programme will focus on the Human Rights Commission. The Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission was set up in 1996, and aimed to comply with the international standards, the so-called Paris Principles – for National Human Rights Institutions. Currently, its Accredition is ‘B’. The programme will work with the Commission to bring it up to Accredition ‘A’, the highest level of standards for these types of institutions. Priority will, therefore, be given to develop the Commission’s capacity to monitor and report on the HR situation in the country, as per the requirements of the Paris Principles. The third component of the programme is related to national follow up of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women in conflict, conflict resolution and peace, and aims at establishing a national task force to implement the recommendations committed to in the resolution. Finally, the fourth component of the programme will focus on training in human rights for police forces. The responsible parties for the Joint Programme on Human Rights include the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Empowerment. UNDP and UNFPA are supporting the programme with funds and technical expertise. In addition, the programme will be supported by the Senior UN Human Rights Advisor, and work with national stakeholders to further develop human rights competence and capacity. The programme has a two year cycle and a total budget of 978,000 USD. The programme is partly funded by UNDP, UNFPA and OHCHR but is seeking further funding from UN sources and bilateral donors.