UN Chief says delay in appointing expert panel is not due to pressure from Sri Lanka

The United Nations Secretary general Ban Ki-moon denied that delay in appointing the expert panel on Sri Lanka's accountability issues is due to the pressure from Sri Lankan government or from the Non-Aligned movement (NAM).



"It is not because of pressure from Sri Lanka. I am still working on the establishment of a group of experts who will advise me based on international standards and experiences on implementation of the commitment the government made in the area of human rights accountability," the UN chief said Monday (24) in response to a media query.

"As you know, the Sri Lankan Government has announced the establishment of their own commission. The group of experts will have to advise me on the basic characters and the role of this commission. This is what I have in my mind," he explained.

The UN Secretary-General said he will again urge the Sri Lankan government to do three things when he meets Sri Lanka's new External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris Monday afternoon.

"First of all, continue to improve the conditions of the internally displaced persons, expedite relocation and reintegration of these people. On that, I think they have made some progress. Then again, promote national reconciliation, reaching out to a different group of parties and people for national reconciliation. Thirdly, the accountability process as I have been discussing with President [Mahinda] Rajapaksa, as soon as possible," he detailed.

Commenting on the recent report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) on war crimes in Sri Lanka the Secretary-General totally rejected the allegations made by the ICG that the UN abetted war crimes in Sri Lanka indirectly by pulling out of Kilinochchi, not pushing for a ceasefire, encouraging surrenders that led to alleged summary executions and funding internment camps.

"I totally reject all that kind of allegations," Mr. Ban said.

"We appreciate all these International Crisis Group's efforts, and we have seen many recommendations in their reports. We will closely coordinate whatever recommendations and advice we may be able to take - we will always take into consideration," he stated.

The Sri Lankan government has vehemently rejected the ICG allegations of intentional killing of Tamil civilians and committing war crimes.