ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES IN SRI LANKA

This report, issued pursuant to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ general mandate under General Assembly resolution 48/141 and OHCHR’s mandate under Human Rights Council resolutions 46/1 and 51/1, 1 addresses the accountability deficit for enforced disappearances committed in Sri Lanka. From the 1970s through to the end of the civil war in 2009, Sri Lanka witnessed several waves of enforced disappearances. Primarily used by Sri Lankan security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups as a tool to intimidate and oppress perceived opponents, it is apparent that, at a minimum, tens of thousands have been subject to enforced disappearances. Perpetrators at all levels continue to escape justice. Impunity remains deeply entrenched. Families remain without knowledge of the fate and whereabouts of their disappeared relatives. The risk of future disappearances remains today given failures to tackle structural weaknesses and to undertake necessary reform.