US disappointed regarding SL’s rejection

2013-03-15  The United States today expressed their disappointed regarding Sri Lanka’s rejection of  all UPR recommendations from States that called upon it to implement the LLRC recommendations. The US stated their regret when Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe addressed the 22nd Session of the HRC held in Geneva this afternoon. Full Statement : UPR Report Adoption / Sri Lanka Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America As Delivered by Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe Human Rights Council 22nd Session Geneva March 15, 2013 The United States welcomes the return of the delegation of Sri Lanka to the Council and appreciates the opportunity to comment on their response to the UPR review. We welcome the Government’s statement of its intention to accept recommendations to combat gender-based violence, to carry out an independent and credible investigation into the allegations of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, and to strengthen the independence of institutions, including the Human Rights Commission, Police Commission, and Election Commission. During the review, a number of States called for the implementation of the recommendations of Sri Lanka’s own Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC).  We are disappointed that the Government rejected all UPR recommendations from States that called upon it to implement the LLRC recommendations. Further, the Sri Lankan delegation attempted to reframe Sri Lanka’s human rights commitments in terms of the government’s National Plan of Action, which does not address the broad spectrum of recommendations put forward by the LLRC report, and by lobbying other delegations to revise their UPR recommendations to exclude reference to the LLRC report after they had been orally presented. Major changes were made to the substance of recommendations after the interactive dialogue. This is inconsistent with the transparent, interactive character of the UPR.  We are also disappointed that the Government rejected nearly all recommendations regarding engagement and cooperation with UN special procedures mandate holders. We urge the government to expeditiously implement both the UPR and LLRC recommendations. Demanding their space and rights 2013-03-15  Two separate protests were held in Colombo to mark the International Women’s Day which fell on March 08, organized by Free Women (Frontline Socialist Party) and Women for Rights. Women’s rights activists gathered to demand for the delivery of justice on time and to end violence against women, shouting slogans, carrying creative banners, displays and placards.pix by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai