Lanka’s UN human rights advisory body may be delayed

United Nations, Mar 16 (PTI): The United Nation’s proposal to form a panel on human right violations in Sri Lanka may be delayed as the world body chief is still considering its terms of references.

“He (Ban) hasn’t yet appointed a panel of experts... he is still considering such a panel’s terms of reference and he is in contact with his advisors including the High Commissioner of Human Rights (Navi Pillay),” UN spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, told journalists here.

The step has strongly been opposed by Sri Lanka with President Mahinda Rajapaksa calling it “uncalled for” and “unwarranted”.

The UN spokesman said no names had come up so far for inclusion in the experts’ panel adding “it is unlikely that the panel will actually be established very soon”.