Colombo: A UN human rights expert on Friday
visited Sri Lanka`s military-run detention camps where nearly
300,000 war-displaced civilians have been held since the
country`s civil war ended four months ago.
Walter Kaelin, the UN secretary-general`s representative
for the human rights of internally displaced persons, visited
camps in northern Vavuniya and Mannar districts, said
Sulakshani Perera, spokeswoman for the UN`s refugee agency.
The UN did not immediately comment on Kaelin`s findings
but the government quoted him as saying that its efforts to
fulfill the needs of the displaced people and their human
rights were at a "commendable level."
Perera said Kaelin would discuss his observations with
government officials before leaving on Sunday.
Sri Lanka`s government has come under intense pressure
from human rights groups and foreign governments to free the
ethnic Tamils detained in the camps.
Human rights groups have criticized their detention as an
illegal form of collective punishment and warned that the
impending monsoon rains could create health crises in the
low-lying, congested camps.
Kaelin is the second senior UN official to visit Sri
Lanka in a week to discuss the plight of the displaced. Last
week, UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs B Lynn
Pascoe expressed concern over the authorities` slow pace in
returning the displaced civilians to their homes.
Bureau Report
