By Priyath Liyanage in Geneva Head, BBC Sinhala Service

	Delegates at the UPR were divided over Sri Lanka’s rights record

The Secretary was the leader of the government delegation at the final hearing of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations in Geneva.

Delegates representing different nations and organisations presented their assessment of Sri Lanka’s human rights record.

Divided on geographical lines

The opinions on the progress made by Sri Lanka were divided mainly through geographical lines.

While the Asian and African countries saw the progress positively, the western nations and many International Organisations warned of deterioration of rights of the individual.

Many accused the government for lacking of political will to redress the on going abuses paving way for impunity.

Denmark, who opened the two minute presentations on behalf of the concerned nations, said a time table for improvement is needed.

Extra-judicial killings and abductions

The representative said that it was unfortunate that Sri Lanka had rejected many of the early recommendations made by the UN.

He said that the country should reconsider its position in considering the recommendations.

	Rights groups were accused of 'finger wagging’ against Govt.

Sweden and Canada shared the concerns expressed by the Danish delegate. They wanted the government to stop extra judicial killings, abductions and proper investigations in to the incidents that had happened so far.

Algeria in its contribution strongly opposed what they called, “the pollicisation of Human Rights issues by outside forces”.

The delegate also praised Sri Lanka for developments it had achieved in raising the standards of Children and women’s rights in the country.

‘Progress’ on rights issues

Qatar, China, Bahrain and Indonesia appreciated the ‘positive attitude’ the government had shown ‘despite a difficult war against terrorism’.

They praised Sri Lanka for its commitment on Rehabilitation of child soldiers.

	Activists say rapes in Akkaraipattu were not investigated

Indonesia pointed out although the government had shown commitment to uphold the human rights values, it is impossible to ‘change things overnight’.

Japan in its presentation managed to be critical and supportive by mentioning the efforts by Sri Lanka and the areas where remedies are needed urgently.

Opening the segment for non governmental organisations, Amnesty International called for ‘prompt and effective action to investigate and prosecute, ‘all allegations of extra judicial, summary or arbitrary killings and to bring the perpetrators to justice’.

AI and HRW

In their joint statement with New York based Human Rights Watch, the Amnesty International warned of ‘longstanding and steady deterioration of the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka”.

We are deeply disappointed that Sri Lanka does not support the recommendation made by at least twelve states, to establish and international human rights monitoring mechanism under UN auspices AI and HRW

They also said that they are “Deeply disappointed that Sri Lanka does not support the recommendation made by at least twelve states, to establish and international human rights monitoring mechanism under UN auspices.”

Interfaith International, International Education, International Organisation against all forms of Racism presented papers.

Expressing concern over culture of impunity, the delegate from International Organisation against all forms of Racism, Nimalka Fernando, pointed out the case of young girls who were raped by gunmen in Akkaraipattu.

Rape in the east

She claimed the incident was not investigated and perpetrators were not prosecuted.

	Govt. says it does not condone rights violations

In his summation, government envoy Mohan Peiris, said despite the accusations by media and the civil society, the government ‘does not in any way condone extra judicial and arbitrary killings and torture.

In his final comments, Rajiva Wijesinghe pointed out that the international community should stop “finger wagging” and support the government to overcome the human rights crisis.

He said that Sri Lanka needed ‘technical assistance and support to eradicate terrorism and enhance the human rights’. He also pleaded for assistance to revive the peace process.