HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CONDEMNS MURDER OF SRI LANKAN LEGISLATOR

HR/99/71
29 July 1999


United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson condemned the murder earlier today of Sri Lankan legislator Neelan Thiruchelvam, calling it a direct attack on efforts to bring about reconciliation and build a culture of peace and respect for fundamental rights in the South Asian country.

The High Commissioner said she was "saddened and shocked" by the killing of Mr. Thiruchelvam, "one of the leading advocates of a negotiated settlement to the armed conflict in Sri Lanka". "The human rights community is in mourning today. Sri Lanka and the world have lost a voice that rang loud and strong in defense of human rights", she said.

Recalling that Mr. Tiruchelvam also headed the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, an organization devoted to bringing the different communities of Sri Lanka closer together, Mrs. Robinson added that today's killing should not be allowed to derail peace efforts.

"The greatest homage we can pay Mr. Tiruchelvam is to continue his work to build a strong civil society where all the people of Sri Lanka can live in peace and enjoy all their human rights", she said.