Dr Bernard Kouchner nominated to Sri Lanka 'International Eminent Persons' group

EU Commissioner Benita Ferrero Waldner today announced the nomination of former French Minister Bernard Kouchner as the EU 'Eminent Person' on the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) in Sri Lanka. The IIGEP is being established to observe the work of the national Commission of Inquiry into recent human rights violations. Active EU support to this initiative is further evidence of the Union's strong commitment to human rights in Sri Lanka, and to a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner declared: "I welcome the invitation from the Sri Lankan government for us to nominate an eminent person to this group, and am delighted that Dr. Kouchner has accepted this assignment. I hope that the Eminent Persons' Group's work will ensure greater transparency in the work of the Commission of Inquiry at a time when we are seriously concerned about the deterioration of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. Dr Kouchner's unparalleled reputation in the field of human rights and advocacy is ideal for this role".

She added: "Ensuring that international standards are respected in Sri Lanka is an essential precondition for a peaceful settlement of the conflict there. As co-chair of the Peace Process, the EU will continue its support efforts for peace, just as we will continue to tirelessly raise human rights concerns with regard to the situation in Sri Lanka."

The President of Sri Lanka has announced the creation of a national Commission of Inquiry to investigate human rights violations committed in the country since 1 August 2005. The Commission's initial mandate is to investigate a series of high-profile incidents which have allegedly included serious violations of human rights, implicating either the Government or the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The Commission is expected to function for an initial term of one year. Its findings and recommendations would enable the institution of further legal actions including criminal proceedings against persons who have been found responsible for these serious violations.

In order to enhance transparency and ensure that investigations are conducted in conformity with international norms, the President of Sri Lanka has decided to set up an International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) to observe the work of this Commission of Inquiry. The role of the group and its mandate were established in close consultation with the International Community, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR). The group will consist of eminent persons from a series of countries/organisations which have been invited by the Sri Lankan authorities to nominate a representative and have accepted to do so, including Australia, Canada, the EU, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Japan, the Netherlands, the UNHCHR, the United Kingdom and the United States. The group will be chaired by former Indian Chief Justice Bagwati. Eminent Persons will act in their personal capacity, and not as official representatives of the nominating countries/organisations. The IIGEP is put in place for an initial period of 18 months.

Bernard Kouchner is a former French Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and a reputed human rights advocate. He is a medical doctor by profession and well known as the founder of "Médecins sans Frontières", "Médecins du Monde" and the "Association pour l'Action Humanitaire". He has held several ministerial posts in his political career and has also been a Member of the European Parliament. He also served as Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations - Head of the UN Mission in Kosovo.

The work of the IIGEP will be supported by a permanent secretariat based in Sri Lanka. The Commission adopted financial support to the IIGEP secretariat under the EC Rapid Reaction Mechanism.

The EU's relations with Sri Lanka:
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/sri_lanka/intro/index.htm

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