The United Nations Human Rights Council announced Wednesday, August 6 the terms of reference of the OHCHR investigation on Sri Lanka.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights established the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka or the OISL, based in Geneva, based on the mandate given by UNHRC resolution adopted in March 2014.

The period under investigation is that covered by the LLRC, that is, from 21 February 2002 until 15 November 2011. However, the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka or the OISL notes that it will also take into consideration any contextual and other relevant information that may fall outside this time-frame, which may provide a better understanding of events or which may be pertinent regarding continuing human rights violations.

The mandate of the OISL requires it to undertake investigations into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties to the conflict.

Its mandate also requires the OISL to apply international criminal law to the incidents and events under investigation in determining whether crimes have been perpetrated.

The OISL is to conduct a desk-review of existing documents and information, including government and civil society reports, collect and document victims’ testimonies and the accounts of survivors, witnesses and alleged perpetrators, as well as seek information from other relevant sources such as satellite images, authenticated video and photographic material and official documents.

The OHCHR also notes that the Government of Sri Lanka has an obligation to protect victims and witnesses and others in Sri Lanka who make contact with the OISL, and ensure that no one suffer harassment, threats, acts of intimidation, ill-treatment or reprisals.

It also notes that the OISL will be guided at all times by the principles of independence, impartiality, objectivity, transparency, integrity and “do no harm.”