By Easwaran Rutnam The alleged intimidation and overseas travel ban on former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and alleged threat to the life of former CID Inspector Nishantha Silva will be noted in Geneva when the UNHRC meets later this month, The Sunday Morning learnt. The alleged intimidation and overseas travel ban on former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara and alleged threat to the life of former CID Inspector Nishantha Silva will be noted in Geneva when the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meets later this month, The Sunday Morning learnt. International human rights groups are expected to raise the issue after the High Commissioner for Human Rights presents an update on Sri Lanka on 27 February. An advanced version of the update will be published online before 27 February and a copy will also be made available to the Sri Lankan Government for its response, sources in Geneva told The Sunday Morning. Following the update by the High Commissioner, member countries at the UNHRC, international human rights groups, and NGOs are to make statements on Sri Lanka, during which concerns will be raised over Abeysekara and Silva. Both were accused of being influenced by members of the former Government when carrying out investigations into high-profile cases. Subsequently, Silva fled to Switzerland while Abeysekara continues to be under investigation in Sri Lanka and has a travel ban imposed on him. Both officers led investigations into high-profile crimes, including those which drew the attention of the Council in the past. Amnesty International (AI) is among the human rights groups set to draw attention to Abeysekara and Silva. AI is to urge the Council to follow up on the important commitments made by Sri Lanka in Resolution 30/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in the country. As the High Commissioner reported in her written updates, progress on implementation since 2015 has been slow, but some important steps had been taken in line with Resolution 30/1; for example, the release of civilian land, and the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office for Reparations. AI is to note however, that it is concerned by the recent deterioration of the human rights situation on the ground, with a spike in intimidation and harassment of NGOs and media organisations, travel bans on criminal investigators of human rights violations, and promotions and appointments of several military officials named in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) investigation on Sri Lanka. Furthermore, AI will note that the new Government had not only announced its intention to reverse the commitments made through 30/1, but had also cast doubt on its acceptance of key recommendations of its own domestic Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). Amnesty is to urge the UNHRC to ensure Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to the 30/1 framework and failing that, the UNHRC should consider additional, more robust measures that may be required. Sri Lanka has been listed to be discussed under item two of the agenda for 27 February at the 43rd session of the UNHRC. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will address the Council during the high-level segment on 24 February – the opening day of the session. Foreign ministers and representatives from several countries will also speak during the high-level segment of the session. The Secretariat of the UNHRC will brief Permanent Missions to the UN Office at Geneva, UN entities, specialised agencies and related organisations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, and national human rights institutions tomorrow (10) on the issues to be discussed at the 43rd session from 24 February to 20 March. The organisational meeting in relation to the 43rd session of the Council, convened by the President of the Council, will be held tomorrow afternoon (Monday) in Room XX at the Palais des Nations. According to the established practice, on this occasion, delegations will be invited to share information on any initiatives planned during the session, including draft resolutions, panels or side events, if they wish to do so. It is still unclear if Sri Lanka will look to submit a resolution at the upcoming session to negate the existing resolution on Sri Lanka. As per the existing resolution on Sri Lanka, the UNHRC requested the OHCHR to continue to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes related to reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka. In its Resolution 40/1, the Council also requested the OHCHR to present a written update to the Council at its 43rd session. Separately, the Council will also hear from independent experts who will make comments on Sri Lanka, including the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related international financial obligations of states on the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly economic, social, and cultural rights. In a report already submitted to the Council, the Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt noted that in Sri Lanka, practices such as debt collectors going to women’s houses where they stayed for hours to be paid have been reported, in addition to women being exposed to psychological and physical violence by debt collectors. The expert noted that during a country visit to Sri Lanka, he learnt about the number, frequency, and seriousness of lender abuse, affecting women in particular. He recommended that the Government, inter alia, extend the current legislation covering microfinance licenses to ensure that all lending institutions were regulated and that usurious microcredits were voided (or voidable), ensure that those in need benefited from debt relief programmes, and provide victims with the right to request the return of money as compensation. The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief is also scheduled to submit a report on Sri Lanka.