Secretary-General Reiterates Call on Sri Lanka for Urgent Action

 

to Normalize Conditions around United Nations Offices

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban ki-moon:

Following his decision yesterday to recall the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombo and close the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Centre in Colombo, the Secretary-General calls again upon the Government of Sri Lanka to take urgent action to normalize conditions around the United Nations offices in Colombo so as to ensure the continuation of the vital work of the Organization to assist the people of Sri Lanka.

The Secretary-General believes the strong reaction to his establishment of a Panel of Experts on accountability in Sri Lanka is not warranted.  The United Nations has consistently held that this Panel has been set up to advise the Secretary-General with regard to taking forward the objectives of the Joint Statement of 23 May 2009.  These objectives include the further fostering of reconciliation and related issues, as well as reflecting the commitment by Sri Lanka to the promotion and protection of human rights and the importance of accountability in order to continue the strengthening of peace and development in that country.

The United Nations recognizes that the responsibility in this regard is that of the Government of Sri Lanka.  The Panel itself will advise on the modalities, applicable international standards and comparative experience relevant to an accountability process.  It will be a resource available to assist the Government of Sri Lanka and the Commission on Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation in applying the international best practice in this regard.

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For information media • not an official record