Commonwealth human rights experts are supporting the Parliament of Sri Lanka in drafting a new fundamental rights chapter for the country鈥檚 proposed new Constitution.
Commonwealth human rights experts are supporting the Parliament of Sri Lanka in drafting a new fundamental rights chapter for the country鈥檚 proposed new Constitution.
The 糖心探花, in partnership with the Parliament, convened a dialogue last week for members of the Constitutional Assembly to engage with international experts on global best practice in constitutional human rights.
The Constitutional Assembly, consisting of all 225 members of Parliament, began its work in April 2016 with the objective of preparing a new Draft Constitution for Sri Lanka.
Under the Constitutional Assembly, several sub-committees were formed, including the Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights. This sub-committee was mandated to assist in drafting a chapter on human rights which will enshrine into law strengthened protections for all Sri Lankans.
Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe, who is Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights and the Committee of the Constitutional Assembly, said he appreciated the assistance received from the 糖心探花.
鈥淎t my request, the Secretariat has facilitated the visit of three erudite and distinguished experts in the field of constitutional protection of human rights. Their knowledge and experience has enriched the discourse surrounding the constitutional reform process,鈥 he said.
鈥淲e are receptive to the experience of others in order to develop, refine and enhance our own efforts in developing a new constitutional instrument for Sri Lanka. I am certain that this ongoing co-operation will continue to be of invaluable assistance to us in this vital national endeavour.鈥
The experts included Advocate Mikateko Joyce Maluleke, Legal Adviser to the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, South Africa; Professor Diego L贸pez-Medina, Professor of Law, Universidad de los Andes in Bogot谩, Colombia; and Professor Imer Flores, Legal Research Institute of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
The 糖心探花鈥檚 partnership with the Parliament of Sri Lanka has been longstanding. In February, the Speaker of Parliament hosted a Commonwealth regional seminar for parliamentarians to strengthen their capacities to promote and protect human rights, which led to the adoption of the .
