1. Role of the NHRI in Promoting National Reconciliation
Samanthie Jayamanna Paranagama
Secretary
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

2. What is NHRI ?
What is National Reconciliation ?

3. Definition of National Reconciliation
General
A term used for establishing of national unity in country beset with political problems
The process of finding a way that two beliefs, facts, objectives that are opposed to each other can both be true or successful.
Connotation of conciliate

4. Legal. Civil Law – Resume relationship after a separation
Legal * Civil Law – Resume relationship after a separation * Public International Law – An agreement or transaction renouncing all claims unilaterally or reciprocally

5. Why it is important to Sri Lankan NHRI ?
Sri Lanka following conclusion of the 30 years conflict with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) which affected all communities in Sri Lanka and it is at a stage of national reconciliation.

7. Area of the Island 65,610 km
Population M
Sinhalese %
Sri Lankan Tamil 11.9%
Indian Tamil %
Muslims %
Official Languages - Sinhala & Tamil
Link language English

8. Is there direct reference in the NHRI mandate
Is there direct reference in the NHRI mandate ? (Paris Principles or Act of HRCSL )……… No
Activities of NHRI in post conflict situation
(UN Manual 2010)
Documenting past abuses
Supporting re integration
Training education and public awareness
Advice to the government
Monitoring & reporting
Complaint handing
Co-operation with National, Regional and International mechanism

9. What is the National Mechanism after the war?
* Step One President appointed Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (LLRC) * Step Two National Plan of Action adopted to monitor implementation of recommendations of LLRC by the relevant agencies.

10. Themes of the Recommendations of LLRC
International Humanitarian Law issues
Human Rights
Land Return and Resettlement
Restitution/Compensatory Relief
Reconciliation

11. What is the International Mechanism after the war? (UN Mechanism)
Human Rights Council Resolutions 2012, 2013, 2014.
High Commissioner’s Report 2014 acknowledge the progress made in implementation of some of the recommendations made by LLRC and Recommends :
International inquiry mechanism to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws as domestic inquiry mechanisms have failed

12. Human Rights Council Resolution 2014 Request the office of High Commissioner on Human Rights
To monitor human rights situation in Sri Lanka and to continue to asses relevant national processes
To undertake a comprehensive investigations into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka

13. What is the current position on Government of Sri Lanka towards Human Rights Council Resolution ?
Government of Sri Lanka rejected Human Rights Council Resolution and High Commissioner’s report.

14. How do NHRI co-operate with National and International mechanisms ?
Key Interventions to National Reconciliation
Monitor implementation of trilingual policy
Engage to incorporate human rights education to the school curriculum
Monitor elections in North and East
Address human rights issues of affected communities. eg: Fisheries community

15. Issue statement on appointing ex military officer as the Secretary to the Ministry of Law & Order
Continuous meetings with Civil Society to identify issues
Settle matters in the field related to lands and other by the regional staff.
Functions of mobile offices in conflict affected areas
Monitor the investigations of police on missing and disappearance persons
Co-operate with Commission on Inquiry to Investigate Alleged Disappearance of Persons in North and East

16. Challenges Stand of Government of Sri Lanka towards UN Mechanism
Mandate of NHRI-Sri Lanka to promote International Human Rights Protection mechanism
Public Opinion
Overseas Campaign for separate state
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