136. Los participantes en las consultas públicas reconocieron las mejoras que se habían producido en la situación general de los derechos humanos en Sri Lanka desde enero de 2015. Sin embargo, se expresaron opiniones diversas en relación con el ritmo de los progresos y con el ritmo y frecuencia con que se estaban cumpliendo los compromisos contraídos por el Gobierno en materia de derechos humanos.
137. Entre las principales prioridades señaladas durante las consultas públicas cabe señalar las siguientes: agilizar las reformas constitucionales y garantizar que el capítulo sobre derechos fundamentales se vea fortalecido al establecer: i) derechos específicos como el derecho a la vida y a la no discriminación por motivos de orientación sexual e identidad de género; ii) la posibilidad de invocar ante los tribunales los derechos económicos, sociales y culturales; iii) la posibilidad de juzgar en los tribunales las violaciones de los derechos humanos cometidas por agentes no estatales; y iv) tribunales regionales con jurisdicción para entender de los recursos de amparo de los derechos fundamentales;
fortalecer las salvaguardias relativas a las debidas garantías procesales durante la detención de sospechosos y ocuparse efectivamente de la incidencia de la tortura, así como de los retrasos indebidos en las investigaciones, los enjuiciamientos y las condenas en los casos de tortura; derogar la Ley de Prevención del Terrorismo y sustituirla por una ley que cumpla las normas internacionales e instituir una ley esencial para penalizar las desapariciones
forzadas; poner en funcionamiento la Oficina de Personas Desaparecidas y asignarle recursos suficientes; garantizar la justicia por las violaciones pasadas de los derechos humanos, incluidos los atentados contra periodistas.
138. Se consideran también prioridades fundamentales las siguientes: prevenir los actos de violencia e intimidación contra las comunidades religiosas y étnicas y garantizar el enjuiciamiento y castigo efectivos de los autores de violaciones, incluidos el discurso de odio, y la aplicación efectiva de la Ley del Pacto Internacional de Derechos Civiles y Políticos; fortalecer la independencia institucional de la División de Protección de Testigos, de la Policía, y crear mayor conciencia entre la población sobre los procedimientos y recursos disponibles en virtud de la Ley de Asistencia y Protección a las Víctimas y los Testigos de Delitos; agilizar la restitución de las tierras privadas en poder de las autoridades estatales, incluidas las fuerzas de seguridad, y resolver el problema que plantea la ocupación de tierras por los departamentos gubernamentales, en particular en el oriente del país; superar los problemas específicos que plantea la aplicación de la Política de Idiomas Oficiales: en primer lugar, en la administración pública en general, para garantizar el acceso de la población a los servicios públicos, como la educación, la salud y la documentación, en el idioma de su elección; y en segundo lugar, en la contratación de mujeres profesionales de habla tamil para prestar servicios en las Dependencias de la Mujer y el Niño de las comisarías de policía; superar los problemas específicos que enfrentan las mujeres, como las disposiciones jurídicas y prácticas discriminatorias; aumentar la participación de la mujer en la política; agilizar los procesamientos y las condenas en los casos de violencia contra la mujer; aplicar las iniciativas y reformas para los grupos vulnerables, como los hogares encabezados por mujeres, las mujeres afectadas por el conflicto, las mujeres excombatientes, las mujeres migrantes, las mujeres pertenecientes a grupos étnicos y religiosos minoritarios y las mujeres con discapacidad; superar los problemas específicos de los niños y adolescentes, como la vulnerabilidad al trabajo infantil, la falta de vivienda y la toxicomanía.
139. Dentro de las prioridades pertinentes para grupos determinados cabe señalar las siguientes: aumentar las oportunidades de empleo para los jóvenes en los proyectos de desarrollo local, especialmente en el oriente del país; superar los problemas específicos que enfrentan las personas con discapacidad, incluidos los niños con discapacidad, en el empleo y la educación, y en el acceso a los servicios públicos y los servicios básicos; superar los problemas específicos que enfrenta la comunidad adivasi (grupo indígena) en la protección y preservación de su cultura, su idioma y sus tradiciones, y garantizarles medios de vida sostenibles; superar los problemas específicos que enfrentan las comunidades en el sector de las plantaciones, en particular en lo que respecta al acceso a la educación, la atención de la salud, la vivienda y el idioma; aplicar de manera efectiva la Política sobre Soluciones Duraderas para los Desplazados y las Personas Afectadas por el Desplazamiento Resultante del Conflicto, a fin de resolver los problemas que enfrentan los desplazados internos y refugiados que regresan a sus comunidades, con respecto a las cuestiones relacionadas con la tierra, los medios de vida, el empleo y la pérdida de la documentación; instituir una política amplia en relación con los solicitantes de asilo y los apátridas; y hacer obligatoria la enseñanza de los derechos humanos a los escolares.
140. Las preocupaciones planteadas durante esas consultas se reflejan en este informe nacional en la medida de lo posible. El Gobierno de Sri Lanka aprecia las observaciones constructivas aportadas por quienes participaron en las consultas, y la contribución que hicieron posteriormente a la elaboración del presente informe nacional. El Gobierno es consciente de los problemas que tiene ante sí en la promoción y protección de los derechos humanos en Sri Lanka, y reafirma su decisión firme de dar plena efectividad a los derechos humanos en el país.
Notas
1 From the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, 5 June 2008, (A/HRC/8/46).
2 The Chapter contains, inter alia, the freedom of thought, conscience and religion, the freedom from torture, the right to equality and non-discrimination, the freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention and punishment, and the freedoms of speech, assembly, association and movement.
3 Sriyani Silva v. Iddamalgoda [2003] 2 Sri.L.R. 63.
4 Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) Act No. 22 of 1994.
5 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
6 The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act No. 56 of 2007.
7 For instance, section 5(2) of the ICCPR Act entrenches the ‘best interests of the child’ principle by providing: ‘In all matters concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interest of the child shall be of paramount importance’.
8 From the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, 18 December 2012 (A/HRC/22/16).
9 Act No. 4 of 2015.
10 The Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Fund.
11 The National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses.
12 The Victims of Crime and Witnesses Assistance and Protection Division.
13 Under the proposed legislation on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a new authority with oversight functions with respect to disability rights will be established. Moreover, a draft Bill on the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance received the approval of Cabinet, and will be discussed in Parliament with a view to ensuring its early enactment.
14 Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979.
15 The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
16 However, these institutional arrangements are subject to the overall accountability and effective monitoring and reporting of the MWCA as the apex body concerned with the rights of the child.
17 From the Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (Addendum) – Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review, 21 February 2013 (A/HRC/22/16/Add.1).
18 These areas include (1) civil and political rights, (2) economic social and cultural rights, (3) prevention of torture, (4) women’s rights, (5) child rights, (6) rights of migrant workers, (7) rights of internally displaced persons, (8) rights of persons with disabilities, (9) labour rights, and (10) environmental rights.
19 For instance, the Parliament of Sri Lanka and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association hosted a Commonwealth Regional Seminar on the Role of Parliamentarians in the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in February 2016. Members of Parliament, ministers and human rights experts from Sri Lanka and other Commonwealth countries in Asia including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Maldives attended the seminar.
20 Resolutions 30/1and 34/1 titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ were adopted by consensus in September 2015 and March 2017 respectively.
21 The Policy provides direction to the process of reconciliation in the country, and steers all stakeholders working on reconciliation towards a uniform and coherent approach to national reconciliation.
22 Consequent to a joint Cabinet Memorandum submitted by the President as the Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation, and the Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages.
23 The SCRM is currently engaged with the UN in finalising the monitoring and evaluation components of the Plan in addition to finalising the concept notes which have been developed in close
coordination with key government stakeholders and UN agencies.
24 The Chairperson of ONUR, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, chairs this Committee, and the Secretary General of the SCRM serves as the convenor of the Committee.
25 The recommendations of the abovementioned CTF were fully considered in the drafting process.
26 General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advance Level (A/L) examinations.
27 The workshops aim to train over 1,000 Development Officers in the provision of support to traumatised individuals in their respective communities.
28 Under section 55 of the Police Ordinance, No. 16 of 1865.
29 The Bill proposes to criminalise enforced disappearance, and to provide the families of victims with effective remedies to obtain compensation and to seek information on the whereabouts of victims.
30 Act No. 19 of 2010.
31 Act No. 12 of 2016.
32 A Cabinet Sub-Committee to grant relief to media personnel who were harassed or attacked during 2005-2015 called for appeals until 1 May 2017.
33 In 2016, 133 cultural and religious festivals were celebrated on a multi-cultural basis, with the participation of over 47,500 students in 1,009 schools in 21 districts. Similar cultural and multi-religious festivals will be celebrated in 2017 to ensure that children of different ethnic and multi-religious backgrounds appreciate the values and customs of their compatriots.
34 The Plan was prepared to allow inclusive and sustainable peace and development, co-existence and reconciliation through the three pillars of ethics, education and empowerment.
35 The Ministry of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages has completed
conversational workshops for secretaries of ministries, district secretariats (25 districts) and divisional secretariats (331 divisions) and for heads of the local government institutions.
36 Section 120 (5) of No. 5 of 2015 provides: ‘The Pharmacist shall when dispensing the medicine, medical device or borderline product provide the customer with a description of such medicine, medical device or borderline product, in the language requested for by such customer.’
37 Education Ordinance, No. 31 of 1939.
38 The Plan was formulated in consultation with national level education agencies and the Provincial Education Authorities (PEAs). It is a comprehensive plan based on national education policies, international commitments, government policy declarations on education, and the concerns of PEAs.
39 Ministry of Education developed the Child Friendly Guidelines in collaboration with the Australian Government and UNICEF.
40 The Ministry of Education allocates 10% of its budget for subsidies to provide free textbooks to all students from grade 1 to grade 11. Furthermore, vouchers for school uniform material are provided to all students. 72,480 bursaries are meanwhile provided to children of low-income families to enhance access to secondary education. Additionally, school nutrition programmes are implemented in approximately 8,023 focus schools in underprivileged areas.
41 Budgetary provisions have been allocated to construct 8,000 housing units in the Northern and Eastern provinces to meet the immediate and urgent requirements. Further, 1,000 partially damaged houses will be repaired in the Northern and the Eastern provinces. This programme will provide IDPs and refugee returnees with affordable and appropriate housing solutions with social infrastructure and livelihood protection.
42 Accordingly, a Bureau directly under the President has been established to coordinate the state and private sectors as well as the public in the reduction of poverty and in the implementation of a community-driven collaborative rural development approach.
43 The plans were drafted in consultation with the district secretaries, development agencies and community leaders.
44 The model farm in Kilinochchi is under the supervision of the University of Jaffna and the Hambantota farm is under the supervision of the University of Ruhuna.
45 Additionally, the Ministry of Rural Economy has developed projects to support livestock farming, which plays a major role in alleviating poverty and increasing the nutritional level of rural
communities. Several livestock projects are being implemented island-wide, in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Animal Production and Health, to promote and upgrade dairy, goat, sheep, swine and poultry farming. The GOSL has also played a facilitating role by establishing livestock farmer training centres in Kilinochchi and Vavuniya in the Northern Province and at Uppuveli and Batticaloa in the Eastern Province.
46 The Plan was prepared by the Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The policy applies to all sectors including agriculture, industry, construction, tourism and transport.
47 The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children (Palermo Protocol).
48 Meetings were held with law enforcement officers, medical personnel, health care workers, village leaders and representatives from schools to review the GBV response mechanisms.
49 Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005.
50 International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families. New legislation titled Sri Lanka Employment Migration Authority Act seeks to set up an authority on Migration that would provide a more expanded role for the SLBFE. The new legislation would provide for the establishment of a National Chamber of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies and the setting up of a Foreign Employment Promotion Fund.
51 Children and Young Persons Ordinance, Act No. 48 of 1939.
52 As a Pathfinder Country, Sri Lanka has pledged to develop and implement a new strategy in line with the SDG 2030 agenda in order to deliver the vision of a world where all children grow up free from violence and exploitation.
53 Public Administration Circular No. 27/88 of 18 August 1988.
54 The loss of legal entitlement to one’s land due to the adverse possession of such land by another party over a period of ten years.
55 Act No. 5 of 2016.
56 Act No. 21 of 2003.
57 The Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs.
58 The Policy delineates the roles and responsibilities of relevant government institutions and their national and international partners, describes the challenges that must be addressed as a matter of urgency, sets out a process for monitoring implementation of the Policy, and provides for redress through grievance mechanisms.
59 SDG 16 is relevant, as it aims to ‘promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.’ The SDG contains targets specifically relevant to human rights, such as: (a) Ensuring public access to information and protecting fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements; and (b) Strengthening relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.