Last week, the Supreme Court ordered the former president and three other senior officials to compensate the families of the victims for their failure to prevent the tragedy.
More than 270 people have been killed in a series of explosions at churches and hotels across the island nation.
one step forward
OHCHR urge Sri Lanka offers full compensation to the victims, including establishing the truth and ensuring justice.
“While no amount of compensation can erase the pain and suffering of the victims and their families, this ruling marks a step in the struggle of the victims to be acknowledged for the damages and their rights to truth, justice and reparation,” said spokesman Jeremy Laurence.
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that former President Maithripala Sirisena, a former defense minister and two other former security and intelligence officials, violated the basic rights of victims by failing to stop the attacks. attack.
They were ordered to personally deposit nearly $850,000 into the victim fund.
Lack of supervision
“In its ruling, the Court expressed ‘shock and dismay’ at the lack of ‘oversight and inaction’ by security and intelligence officials – ruling that the former President and security officials His top security failed to prevent the attacks, despite detailed intelligence showing Mr. Laurence said.
In an earlier decision, the Court found that proceedings against incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was Prime Minister at the time, could not continue to enjoy the immunity to which he was granted benefit while in office.
Compensation and advice
The UN Human Rights Office urges the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that the victim is adequately compensated and that they and their representatives are adequately advised in the disbursement of funds.
Mr. Laurence also reiterated OHCHR’s recommendations to authorities, who are encouraged to release the full results of their previous investigation into the Easter Sunday bombings.
The government should also establish a follow-up independent investigation, with international support and the full participation of the victims and their representatives, and hold all those responsible accountable. duty, he added.
