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Sri Lanka awarded ‘A status’ accreditation

Graphic: HRCSL Chairperson Dr Deepika Udagama talks with community members on a visit to Jaffna

The accreditation decision by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions means that Sri Lanka’s NHRI is now a full member of the APF.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has been accredited as an 'A status' national human rights institution (NHRI) by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

The decision by GANHRI's Sub-Committee on Accreditation means that the Commission, which had been accredited as a 'B status' institution in 2009, is now a full member of the APF.

"The Sub-Committee's decision recognises the Commission's independent, principled and steadfast advocacy for human rights in recent years, especially given the complex environment in which it operates," said Kieren Fitzpatrick, Director of the APF secretariat.

Dr Deepika Udagama, who was appointed Commission Chairperson in October 2015, expressed her appreciation for all who had encouraged and supported the Commission's work.

"The upgrading of the Commission is not only an institutional achievement but it is a victory for the people of Sri Lanka who demanded the establishment of independent commissions through the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution," Dr Udagama said.


The Commission is inspired to work harder for the protection of human rights of all in Sri Lanka.

Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Logo Dr Deepika Udagama, Chairperson, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

During the May 2018 session, 11 NHRIs from the four global regions were assessed by the Sub-Committee to determine their compliance with the standards set out in the Paris Principles.

'A status' NHRIs – those that comply with the Paris Principles – are able to participate independently in the work of the UN Human Rights Council and its subsidiary bodies.

Those in the Asia Pacific region are eligible for full membership of the APF, while 'B status' institutions are eligible for associate membership of the APF.

The accreditation process is a peer-based review, undertaken by representatives of NHRIs from each of the four regions: Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe.

The Asia Pacific region was represented on the Sub-Committee by the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines.

Date: 27 June 2018


Image credits

  1. HRCSL Chairperson Dr Deepika Udagama talks with community members on a visit to Jaffna - Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka