Mr President,

We reiterate the broad range of serious human rights concerns in Sri Lanka highlighted by the High Commissioner, and express disappointment and concern about the current government’s continuation of the regressive drug control policies and actions of previous governments.

The failure to engage with experts on human rights-based interventions to address the drug issue and adopt evidence-based, progressive laws and policies that have been proven to have a positive impact in other countries will exacerbate drug dependence and related issues in Sri Lanka.

Continuing arrests of persons who use drugs has resulted in prison overcrowding and violence in prisons, such as at Negombo and Mahara Prisons. The lack of adequate, accessible, voluntary, evidence based treatment options is particularly concerning, particularly when coupled with the continued existence of compulsory drug treatment centres, some of which are managed by the Sri Lankan military – where people have been documented to suffer physical and psychological violence, inhuman conditions of detention, and lack of evidence-based treatment.

These violations are enabled and exacerbated by laws that contravene international human rights standards.

Mr President,

We urge the government of Sri Lanka to adopt a human rights and health centred approach to drug laws and policies abide by a zero-tolerance policy on torture, investigate all deaths in custody, and ensure those found responsible are held accountable.

We call upon the Office of the High Commissioner to conduct due diligence to ensure the engagement of all UN agencies on this issue is in accordance with human rights principles. We also urge the High Commissioner to call upon donors who support programmes in-country to abide by the ‘do no harm principle’ and adhere to human rights standards.

Thank you.