The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) expressed frustration with the slow pace of progress in Sri Lanka at Wednesday’s review meeting in Geneva.
The review meeting aimed to assess the status of women’s rights in Sri Lanka – a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Sri Lanka failed to provide adequate responses to questions of transitional justice raised by CEDAW – such as whether findings from the consultation task force reports would be implemented, witness protection and the establishment of the Office of Missing Persons.
In response to questions regarding the ongoing violence perpetrated by security forces against Tamil women, government representatives stated that they planned to recruit 200 Tamil policewomen to be stationed in the North-East.
Further, Sri Lankan Permanent Representative to Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha, expressed doubts regarding Channel 4 footage that depicts human rights abuses during the war. The film shows army personnel around the bodies of semi-naked sexual mutilated Tamil women.
Before Sirisena’s presidency, CEDAW was planning for an investigation on sexual violence perpetrated by Sri Lankan security forces. It is expected that calls for the investigation may be renewed.
CEDAW releases its official report on March 6th.
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