Credible serious allegations of rights violations in SL: Envoy
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There is a serious and credible allegation of human rights violations in Sri Lanka, the nominated US envoy to Sri Lanka said noting that America and the international community is looking for near-term benchmark from Colombo.
"There are credible, serious allegations - I completely agree - of crimes committed by both sides in terms of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law," Michele Sison, who has been nominated as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, told lawmakers at his confirmation hearing.
"So we do look for near-term progress, benchmarks to be met, particularly on setting a date for the provincial elections in the north specifically, demilitarisation in the north," Sison said responding to a question from Senator Robert Casey, who chaired the confirmation hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
"I do believe that we can have constructive engagement, at the same time, principled engagement that keeps human rights protections, rule of law at the forefront," Sison said responding to a question from Senator Casey, who expressed concern over the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka.
Sison said the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations were, front and center the topic when the Sri Lankan foreign minister met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month in Washington.
"We have asked the government of Sri Lanka to provide regular and public updates on the implementation on what is the government's own commission, particularly with regard to demilitarization of the north, to setting a date for provincial elections in the north; focus on human rights protections, including increased space for civil society to operate; increased focus on media freedom," she said.
With 30 years in Foreign Service, Sison has previously served as US Ambassadors to Lebanon and the UAE.
She also has considerable experience in South Asia, having served in India and Pakistan and as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the South Asia region.
In her remarks, Sison said the US and other international partners have encouraged the government of Sri Lanka to pursue the steps needed to foster genuine reconciliation and accountability.
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