UN Rights Chief pushes states to impose further sanctions on SL rights abusers

Says arbitrary arrests and detentions under the law continue Pressed Sri Lanka to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and amend laws restricting civil freedoms

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Calling on all member states to cooperate in investigating and prosecuting alleged perpetrators of international crimes committed in Sri Lanka under principles of universal jurisdiction, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk also urged countries to consider further sanctions against those credibly accused of gross violations.

Addressing the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue on the latest OHCHR report on Sri Lanka, Türk said his office has already compiled a secure repository of more than 105,000 items of evidence through the Sri Lanka accountability project. He stressed that international engagement is crucial to help Sri Lanka overcome persistent impunity and inequality.