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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called on Sri Lanka to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that would bring both political and military leaders of the country under the jurisdiction of international prosecution for alleged violations of humanitarian and human rights law.
The Rome Statute, adopted on 17 July 1998 and entering into force in July 2002, established the ICC to try individuals for the most serious crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. To date, 125 countries have ratified the treaty, while successive Sri Lankan governments have declined to sign, shielding leaders and armed forces personnel from potential ICC trials.
The ICC currently has global reach, with leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing an active arrest warrant under its jurisdiction—highlighting the legal weight of accession.
In its latest report on Sri Lanka, the UN High Commissioner emphasized the need for “transitional justice” and outlined several recommendations:
Signing the Rome Statute of the ICC
Releasing military-held lands and halting new land seizures
Accelerating land titling in the North and East
Releasing long-term detainees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act
Supporting victims’ memorialization initiatives
Ensuring impartiality of the Office on Missing Persons
The OHCHR stated that these measures would help build trust, ensure accountability, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s global human rights standing. However, the recommendation to join the ICC carries far-reaching political and legal implications, as it would open the path for international trials of Sri Lankan leaders and military officials.
