UN Human Rights Chief pledges support to build domestic accountability mechanism

■ Urges to see the real momentum of change in Sri Lanka ■ Assures UN Human Rights Commission can support future accountability efforts both in Sri Lanka and internationally ■ Commends Govt. for facilitating visit ■ Notes discussions were held to create independent prosecutor ■ Emphasises PTA should be repealed ■ Asserts torture needs to be addressed

- BY SHANIKA SRIYANANDA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has pledged support to the Government to build up a domestic accountability mechanism on par with international standards to respond to the needs, aspirations, and expectations of the victims.

Türk, wrapping up his four-day visit to Sri Lanka after meeting President Anura Kumara Disanayake yesterday afternoon, revealed this at a media briefing held at the UN Compound in Colombo before his departure.

"It is important that domestic accountability mechanisms are functioning and these are part of the discussions we had with the Government. For example, we discussed how to create an independent prosecutor and how to build up a domestic accountability system," he said.

He said that it was the process that was currently ongoing in the country and human rights always remained a matter of international concern—not just in Sri Lanka but everywhere in the world.