Sri Lanka is at a critical juncture in its political life, a UN report has said, noting that “impunity” for the past and present human rights abuses, economic crimes and corruption were the underlying causes for the collapse of the island nation's economy.
The UN report, released on Tuesday, also suggested fundamental changes to address the current challenges and to avoid repetition of the human rights violations of
the past.
Interestingly, it comes ahead of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council Session, to be held in Geneva from September 12 to October 7, where a resolution on Sri Lanka is expected to be tabled.
This is also the first time that the top UN body has linked the economic crisis with Sri Lanka's gross human rights violations.
“For sustainable improvement to take place, it is vital to recognise and assist Sri Lanka to address the underlying factors, which have contributed to this crisis, including embedded impunity for past and present human rights abuses, economic crimes and endemic corruption,” the report said.
The broad-based demands by Sri Lankans from all communities for accountability and democratic reforms presented “an important starting point for a new and common vision for the future,” it said.
“Fundamental changes will be required to address the current challenges and to avoid repetition of the human rights violations of the past,” the report said.