Colombo TelegraphMARCH 10, 2012
Forget about all NGO/ INGO/ UN Expert panel / Paid and unpaid human rights activists/ Tamil Diaspora/ Channel 4/ Sarath Fonseka’s white flag claim/ exile journalists and “traitors” claims with regard to war crimes and international law.
Last week several thousands of government supporters have shouted “hands off Lanka” protesting on the streets across
the country against the US-sponsored resolution. Protests were held throughout the island slamming the US move at the UN Human Rights Council as interference in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs.
The most ridiculous thing was the acting Minister of External Affairs himself took part in the protest with the people who shouted “US don’t support terrorism”, “international conspiracy against motherland.” Regardless of Sri Lanka’s streets protests and those of the Sri Lankan delegation in Geneva, The United States this week submitted the draft resolution.
The resolution states; Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights, and other relevant instruments, Reaffirming that States must ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, as applicable, Noting the Report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and its findings and recommendations, and acknowledging its possible contribution to Sri Lanka’s national reconciliation process, Welcoming the constructive recommendations contained in the LLRC report, including the need to credibly investigate widespread allegations of extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances, de-militarize the north of Sri Lanka, implement impartial land dispute resolution mechanisms, reevaluate detention policies, strengthen formerly independent civil institutions, reach a political settlement involving devolution of power to the provinces, promote and protect the right of freedom of expression for all, and enact rule of law reforms, Noting with concern that the LLRC report does not adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law,
