THE Government is to create a new forum to discuss IDP protection issues. The forum includes key stakeholders such as senior public officers, key focal points in the UN system and representatives of the international and local Non-Governmental Organizations engaged in providing protection to IDPs.
Speaking to relevant parties at a recent meeting, Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said that it was his intention to create forums in Colombo and Vavuniya where protection issues can be discussed and consensual decisions taken.
During the meeting the Minister pointed out that if issues could be resolved by way of collaboration and partnership, there would be no necessity to canvass them through the media.
”When protection agencies seek to highlight these issues in the media in the first instance, the outcome will be a contest of words and a not a partnership that works on behalf of Internally Displaced Persons,” he added.
He also added that regular coordination meetings would be held at which progress could be monitored jointly by the Government and its partners.
Attorney-General Mohan Pieris, joining the discussions commented that the Government was very serious in its intentions to deliver on promises made internationally.
The AG also identified the initiative as an excellent opportunity for relevant parties to engage in free dialogue with the Government.
Secretary to the Ministry, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha joining the debate said that in the past the Government was not fully aware of the structures put in place to deal with protection issues. He added that the Government has the primary responsibility, in terms of the guiding principles on internal displacement, to deal with issues relating to protection which included human rights.
He added that there should be no use of emotive language and that the Government must be informed of any alleged violations of IDP’s rights and that it had a duty to investigate such allegations. He stressed the necessity of strengthening institutions in order to prevent any problems arising in future.
The UN’s Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator Neil Buhne and Representative of the UNHCR in Sri Lanka Amin Awad too welcomed the Government’s initiative.
During discussions the UN and representatives of other organizations too raised relevant contentious issues, outlined initiatives that had been launched to date and areas which need enhanced focus when addressing IDP protection issues.
Secretary to the Ministry of Justice and Law cum Commissioner-General for Rehabilitation Suhada Gamlath,Country Representative of UNICEF Philippe Duamelle, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Social Services and Social Welfare, Sunil Samaraweera, Director-General(Legal) of Sri Lanka Army Major General Mohanthi Peiris, Head of office of UN OCHA Zola Dwell, Secretary to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Chandra Ellawela and representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Child Protection Authority, Police, NGO’s, and INGO’s participated in the discussion. (Courtesy: Daily News)
