United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bacheletduring the opening of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) 47th session in Geneva, on June 21, 2021, expressed concern over counter-terrorism laws in Sri Lanka. She said “In Sri Lanka, I am concerned by further Government measures perceived as targeting Muslims, and by the harassment of Tamils, including in the context of commemoration events for those who died at the end of the war. I am concerned that recent appointments to the Office of Missing Persons and Office for Reparations, and steps to discourage investigations into past crimes, are further undermining victims’ trust.” She also said that the recent counterterrorism regulations – which include the listing and/or prohibition of more than 300 Tamil and Muslim groups and individuals for alleged support of terrorism – will also not advance reconciliation. “Regulations now permit the arbitrary administrative detention of people for upto two years, without trial for the purposes of de-radicalization, I also note a continuing series of deaths in police custody and in the context of police encounters with alleged criminal gangs. A thorough, prompt and independent investigation should be conducted,” Bachelet said. She also told the session that they will continue to engage with the Government, and she will update the Council further at the September session, including on progress in implementing the new accountability mandate.