HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2018
ranging from prisoner rights to violations via unregulated micro credit
schemes.
Similarly, the Commission sought to streamline the process of vetting of
military and police nominees for UN Peace Keeping. A round table
discussion was held in Colombo with all stakeholders including the UN
Department of Peace Keeping Operations in attendance. By December a
Standard Operating Procedure agreed on by all parties came into effect,
thereby ensuring the application of a commonly agreed on threshold
test.
The Commission also assisted the authorities in monitoring the
implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan in various
sectors.
In regard to substantive rights, the Commission continued to prioritize
work on rights of the marginalized coupled with its focus on economic
and social rights. The year saw the Commission issuing a
groundbreaking recommendation on educational rights of students with
physical disabilities issued to higher education authorities. Work on
rights of plantation workers, sexual minorities saw progress with the
International Women’s Day celebration (2018) focusing on women in
the informal economic sector.
The major innovation during the year was the commencement of work
with youth, which was hitherto a major gap in the Commission’s work.
The Commission had its inaugural Annual Human Rights Camp for Youth
in September, bringing in youth leaders from all districts in the country
for a five day residential program on the theme of ‘Good Citizenship’
with the objective of conscientizing youth on the value base of
democracy and human rights. It is hoped that this activity will continue
as an essential step in investing in future leadership in the country.
It was fitting that the 70th Anniversary of the UDHR was celebrated on
December 10th on a grand scale by the Head Office and the ten Regional
Offices of the Commission with the participation of youth leaders and
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