Make human rights a priority, Amnesty tells Sirisena

Sri Lanka's new government must make human rights a priority, Amnesty International India said Friday.

The government of Maithripala Sirisena must urgently address a legacy of pressing human rights issues left by the previous administration, Amnesty said in a statement.

Outgoing president Mahinda Rajapaksa conceded defeat Friday to opposition candidate Sirisena, who won the presidential poll with 51.3 percent of the vote.

Said G. Ananthapadmanabhan, Amnesty India's chief executive: "The new government now has an opportunity to usher in a new era of genuine respect for human rights. It is one that must not be missed."

These include the repeal of the 18th constitutional amendment, which undermines judicial independence and other human rights safeguards by placing key state institutions into the hands of the president, and the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which grants security forces sweeping powers.

The human rights agenda also calls on the government to safeguard freedom of expression and end the repressive environment for journalists and human rights defenders; and put a halt to attacks on religious minorities.

A UN-led inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by both sides during Sri Lanka's armed conflict is due to present its findings at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2015.

"The lack of accountability for past human rights violations has been the tragic norm in Sri Lanka over the past decade," the statement said.

"Tens of thousands of victims and family members are still waiting for the justice they deserve and the new administration must work to deliver it," said Ananthapadmanabhan.

"Sri Lanka has for years resisted all international efforts to investigate the conflict years, and instead relied on domestic investigation bodies that toed the government line.

"This has to end - the new government should cooperate fully with the UN investigation."