ITAK slams Govt. over human rights response at UNHRC

THE Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has strongly criticised Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath’s statement at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), highlighting what it calls the Government’s continued failure to address accountability, reconciliation and the rights of Tamil communities in Sri Lanka.

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Following is the full statement;

“We refer to the statement made by Vijitha Herath at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. At the outset, we must record our deep disappointment in the Government’s response to several pressing issues of accountability and reconciliation that are still outstanding.

This Government came into office holding out several promises. However, one full year after the President was elected, we are yet to see even the beginnings of those promises being fulfilled.

Although the Minister states that strengthening national unity and reconciliation is integral to the development of the country, not even the low hanging fruits have been harvested. Despite several assurances, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is yet to be repealed.