Nothing on panel-Bragg

27 January 2011 03:47 am Views - 3108

Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Catherine Bragg said that she had not discussed any matters pertaining to the UN panel of experts on accountability issues relating to alleged war crimes, during her recent visit to Sri Lanka.

Explaining about her humanitarian mission to Sri Lanka last week, she also said “Ms. Bragg said she had not discussed any matters pertaining matter, as that issue had not come up during her visit.  Nor did she have any plans to meet with the panel members over the matter.”

She also said that the humanitarian needs in that country were “still significant” and activities should be stepped up to address the most critical.

Ms. Bragg called for strong engagement with the Sri Lankan Government, which had been a major goal of her visit to the Indian Ocean island State, from 19 to 21 January, along with producing an assessment of the humanitarian concerns there, particularly in the post-conflict north. 

The mission, coinciding with the flood crisis in the eastern part of Sri Lanka, had also provided an opportunity to advocate for flood-related humanitarian assistance.  She had met with Government ministers, the United Nations country team, representatives of non-governmental organizations and donors.