John Walters, National Ombudsman of Namibia has led the three-day workshop last week in Colombo to provide training to more than 50 staff from the HRCSL.
According to the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Ombudsman's office in Namibia is an 'A' accredited institution compliant with the Paris Principles, which relate to the status and functioning of national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights.
The workshop took place in parallel to a visit by Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, to review arrangements for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo in November.
Chairperson of the HRCSL Justice Priyantha Perera has said the workshop had been very comprehensive in building their knowledge on human rights issues and he was pleased with the attendance at the workshop.
"I personally have benefitted by broadening my understanding of national inquiries and how they can be used as an effective tool," Justice Perera was quoted as saying.
The Commonwealth Secretariat's Acting Head of Human Rights, Karen McKenzi has said that all participants had engaged positively and constructively in the workshop. |