The Defence Ministry of Sri Lanka has claimed that Bangladesh and three of its neighbours have refused visas to a UNHRC team investigating alleged human rights violations during the fighting between government troops and Tamil guerrillas.
On Monday, the Defence Ministry posted a press release on its website saying: “Five South Asian countries expressed their objection to the United Nations Human Rights Council's international investigation into Sri Lanka by refusing the UNHRC team visas to enter these countries to conduct the probe. These countries are India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Maldives.”
When contacted, the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh expressed ignorance of the issue.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Md Sufiur Rahman said he was unaware of such a move. “I have no idea about this,” he told the Dhaka Tribune.
Quoting Commissioner of Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Dr Prathiba Mahanamahewa, the press release said India rejected entry to the UNHRC probe delegation.
“Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives have taken similar stances. They are not willing to provide support for a suggestion brought on an individual country,” the release added.
The UNHRC has adopted a resolution to conduct an investigation into the alleged human rights violations during the fighting between Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tigers.
Bangladesh and India abstained when the resolution was adopted in Geneva.