UN concern over Sri Lanka rights

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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has criticised Sri Lanka's rights record, questioning the government's readiness to improve it.

She was speaking at the end of a visit to the country which is once again in the throes of civil war.

The government rejected her call for UN human rights monitors to be deployed.

According to New York-based Human Rights Watch, there have been over 1,000 recent abductions. The government says many reported cases are false.

"In the context of the armed conflict and the emergency measures taken against terrorism, the weakness of the rule of law and the prevalence of impunity is alarming," Ms Arbour said.

Lack of confidence

During her visit she met government ministers as well as families who say their loved ones have disappeared.

Ms Arbour also said there was a lack of confidence in a presidential commission set up to investigate abuses including the killings of 17 workers for a French charity in August 2006.

She also criticised the Tamil Tiger rebels, who are fighting for an independent homeland for the Tamil minority, for using children as combatants, forcibly recruiting adults and killing civilians.

The high commissioner said a UN human rights monitoring mission could improve the situation.

The government has, however, rejected such a proposal, saying what is needed is more help to increase the capacity of national institutions.

"Throughout my discussions, government representatives have insisted that national mechanisms are adequate for the protection of human rights but require capacity-building and further support from the international community," Ms Arbour said.

"In contrast, people from across a very broad political spectrum and from various communities have expressed to me a lack of confidence and trust in the ability of existing, relevant institutions to adequately safeguard against the most serious human rights abuses."