EU stresses need for foreign participation to ensure credible accountability in Sri Lanka

The European Council, in a press brief released on Monday, stressed the importance of the participation of foreign judges, prosecutors and investigators to ensure a credible accountability process as a first step towards lasting justice and peace in Sri Lanka.
The Council conclusions on Sri Lanka stressed that “ Accountability is essential to uphold the rule of law and build confidence in the people of all communities of Sri Lanka in the justice system,” adding,

“The participation of foreign judges, defence lawyers, prosecutors and investigators will be important in ensuring that the process is both credible and perceived as such by all sides. The Council underlines the importance of continued cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.”
Stressing the need to address the underlying causes of the conflict, the Council called for devolution of power to the North-East, whilst ensuring that “early steps to build the confidence of communities” were taken.

The press brief further said,

“The Council encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to take early steps to build the confidence of communities, including releasing the identity of the detainees and accelerating their prosecution or release, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, calibrating the military presence according to identified security needs and returning land sequestered by the military to its rightful owners. Further action is also needed on a number of human rights concerns, including sexual and gender based violence, torture and the protection of persons belonging to religious, ethnic and other minorities, Human Rights Defenders and journalists.”