HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2019 ▪ Request to inquire into the unprofessional and unethical conduct of certain members of Regional Bar Associations The Commission wrote to the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to draw the attention of the BASL to the refusal of certain members of the bar to appear on behalf of members of the Muslim community arrested in the backdrop of the post-21 April violent attacks. The Commission urged that such conduct was unprofessional and unethical conduct of certain members of regional bar associations in the context of the post-21 April attacks. HRCSL highlighted that such discriminatory conduct, denies to some citizens the possibility of enjoying equal protection of the law under the Constitution of Sri Lanka, which questions the core values of the legal profession. Therefore, the Commission requested the BASL to earnestly look into this matter and take urgent corrective measures. In a subsequent correspondence, the Commission reiterated that the above was a request made to the BASL as the Commission, in the capacity of a National Human Rights institution, was of the opinion that it should engage with professional bodies in the public interest. The Commission pointed out that the request was not in the form of a recommendation subsequent to an inquiry. The Commission further underscored that a positive action by the BASL in this regard would have sent a salutary message and reassured the public, especially the aggrieved parties, that they have the benefit of legal representation in keeping with the highest professional standards. This was particularly important at a time when there appear to be deep tensions and divisions among the various communities in the country. The Commission further stated that it makes its interventions public as its mandate is to promote and protect human rights of the people and not to cause any embarrassment or inconvenience the institution or organization it addresses. 2.4. Vetting of Sri Lankan military personnel to be deployed as UN peacekeepers 40