UN watchdog accepts complaint against UNHRC’s accountability mechanism on Sri Lanka

The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has formally confirmed that it has reviewed a complaint concerning the UN Human Rights Council’s external accountability mechanism on Sri Lanka and has “taken appropriate action.” The acknowledgment was issued to one of the complainants on 23 October 2025.

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) is the internal oversight body of the United Nations (UN).

The Office assists the Secretary-General in fulfilling his oversight responsibilities in respect of the resources and staff of the Organization through the provision of internal audit, investigation, inspection and evaluation services.

The complaint was filed on 16 September 2025 by the ‘Ceehalé World Heritage Foundation’ NGO along with three Sri Lankan citizens. The submission argues that the external mechanism on Sri Lanka — created outside the normal channels of the UN Charter and without state consent — raises serious questions of legality and due process within the UN system itself.

OIOS does not provide further updates once internal action has commenced, citing confidentiality requirements. However, the acknowledgment marks the first known instance of a Sri Lankan civil society complaint on this issue being formally registered and acted upon inside the UN oversight structure.

One of the complainants, Sri Lankan lawyer and author Dharshan Weerasekera, said:

“Since 2015, I have tried through every proper channel to raise legal concerns about the UNHRC’s approach to Sri Lanka. Twice, those efforts went nowhere. This time, the UN has taken notice. It reminds us that even a single citizen can still prompt accountability at the highest levels of the international system.”

The submission includes a comprehensive package of documents setting out the legal basis for the complaint and supporting analysis. These materials were developed over several years of research, including prior attempts to challenge aspects of the UN process in both domestic and international forums.

The complainants state that their objective is to ensure the UN’s own rules governing the powers of its human rights institutions are respected, and that all member states — including Sri Lanka — are treated within the boundaries of the UN Charter.

The complaint itself, along with all relevant supporting documents, is available as an eBook on the ‘Ceehalé World Heritage Foundation’ website.

Further information and documentation can be made available to media upon request.