A new UN report published on Wednesday warning that human right violations are increasing in Sri Lanka called on the international community to enhance monitoring and take measures to prevent recurrence of the policies and practices that gave rise to grave human rights violations in the past.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said states can consider targeted sanctions, such as asset freezes and travel bans against credibly alleged perpetrators of grave human rights violations and abuses. Sri Lanka’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations must be kept under review, the High Commissioner also suggested.

The report prepared by the UN Human Rights Office warns that the failure of Sri Lanka to address past violations has significantly heightened the risk of human rights violations being repeated. It highlights worrying trends over the past year, such as deepening impunity, increasing militarization of governmental functions, ethno-nationalist rhetoric, and intimidation of civil society.

http://www.colombopage.com/archive_21A/Jan28_1611809690CH.php