Two UN Special Rapporteurs to visit Sri Lanka in April

Two UN Special Rapporteurs are to visit Sri Lanka in April after the new Government agreed on the proposed dates.

The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers Mónica Pinto and the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment Juan Méndez will visit Sri Lanka from 29 April 2016 to 7 May 2016. The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers acts on information submitted to her attention concerning alleged violations relating to the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the independence of the legal profession by sending allegation letters and urgent appeals to concerned Governments to clarify and/or bring these cases to their attention. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment covers all countries, irrespective of whether a State has ratified the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.