Switzerland calls for UN probe of Sri Lanka army

Switzerland has called for an investigation into evidence of arbitrary arrests, abuse and torture during anti-drug operations by the army in Sri Lanka. At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, it called for those responsible to be prosecuted. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox Switzerland is ‘alarmed’ by the adoption or proposal of ‘new repressive laws’ in this country, said the Swiss ambassador to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Jürg Lauber. Like the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, before him, he denounced in particular the laws on online security and against non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Switzerland was also concerned about the retention of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. This was being used to suppress fundamental freedoms, Lauber said. + Will Sri Lanka human rights report change Swiss asylum policy? On Monday, Türk reiterated his call for the authorities to guarantee civil rights. Presidential elections will ...