SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON FREEDOM OF RELIGION TO VISIT SRI LANKA

31 March 2005


The Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief, Asma Jahangir, will visit Sri Lanka from 2 to 12 May 2005 at the invitation of the Government.

In Colombo and other locations in Sri Lanka, the Special Rapporteur will meet with Government officials as well as representatives of different religious communities and members of civil society.

This visit takes place in the context of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur which consists of protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief in the light of, among other instruments, the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981).

A report on the visit, including conclusions and recommendations on the situation of freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka, will be submitted to the Commission on Human Rights.

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For use of the information media; not an official record