The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says it remains committed to their work in Sri Lanka and to providing assistance to vulnerable individuals, including detainees and families of missing persons.
The ICRC’s director of operations, Dominic Stillhart, who just returned from a visit to the island, said in an interview the organisation discussed a proposal to set up an independent process to clarify the fate of missing persons with the government, who received it “positively”.
“During the meetings in Sri Lanka, a proposal to set up an independent process to clarify the fate of missing persons was discussed and was positively received by government officials. This is a long-term effort that requires sustained political commitment,” Mr Stillhart said.
“My visit to Sri Lanka was an opportunity to renew the ICRC's commitment to support the authorities, as they go through the process of clarifying the fate of missing persons. While acknowledging the importance of an accountability process, the need for families to know the fate and whereabouts of their loved ones is no less important and should not be forgotten.”
See full interview here.
ICRC received over 16,000 requests to trace disappeared in Sri Lanka (24 March 2015)
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