Govt Yet To Address Many HR Issues – Mavai Senathirajah, TNA MP
- Sunday, 12 January 2014
TNA Parliamentarian Mavai Senathirajah says the government is yet to address many areas on the human rights front and therefore is not in a position to expect a favourable outcome from the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva. “The government is still silent on what happened to those who surrendered to the armed forces during the final stage of war. No one, except those who took them into custody, knows their whereabouts. Accountability issues have not been addressed and the government has turned a blind eye to the matter. This situation creates serious doubts about the government’s approach towards human rights and reconciliation,” the Parliamentarian said. Speaking on the Northern Provincial Council election, he said the government was not keen on having a free and fair election in the North and that was why it harassed TNA representatives and candidates using state backed arms. He also said that the government went for an election as a result of the mounting international pressure.
Following are excerpts of the interview;
Q: As the TNA perceives, what would be the outcome of the UN Human Rights Council session which is taking place in March?
A: The TNA, as a party, is yet to discuss this matter at length and we can only disclose our position specifically after the next Central Committee meeting which this is taking place on January 26. We are also going to discuss this matter with a wide spectrum of people including civil organizations, Diaspora, professionals and peoples’ representatives. But, as a whole, there are so many areas that the government needs to work on. In this context, it is impossible to believe that the government is genuinely interested in improving the human rights track record of the country.
A: The TNA, as a party, is yet to discuss this matter at length and we can only disclose our position specifically after the next Central Committee meeting which this is taking place on January 26. We are also going to discuss this matter with a wide spectrum of people including civil organizations, Diaspora, professionals and peoples’ representatives. But, as a whole, there are so many areas that the government needs to work on. In this context, it is impossible to believe that the government is genuinely interested in improving the human rights track record of the country.
Q: The government is constantly saying that things are changing in the North and most of the human rights issues have been solved. What is your response to that statement?
A: We don’t see any truth in that statement. We have been constantly raising these matters not only domestically, but also internationally. The government is still silent on what happened to those who surrendered to the armed forces during the final stage of war. No one, except those who took them into custody, knows their whereabouts. Accountability issues have not been addressed and the government has turned a blind eye to the matter. This situation creates serious doubts about the government’s approach towards human rights and reconciliation.
A: We don’t see any truth in that statement. We have been constantly raising these matters not only domestically, but also internationally. The government is still silent on what happened to those who surrendered to the armed forces during the final stage of war. No one, except those who took them into custody, knows their whereabouts. Accountability issues have not been addressed and the government has turned a blind eye to the matter. This situation creates serious doubts about the government’s approach towards human rights and reconciliation.
Q: Two resolutions have already been passed against Sri Lanka and do you think the government has taken measures to follow up the matters raised in those?
A: No one can be satisfied with the manner in which the government has followed up on the resolutions that have already been passed by the UN Human Rights Council. It has made various promises to the international community but nothing has been fulfilled. Even when UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay visited the country, she raised these issues but the government has not yet come up with a satisfactory answer. Therefore, the government is now in a highly disadvantaged position. The international community is mounting pressure and demanding the government to fulfill those promises.
A: No one can be satisfied with the manner in which the government has followed up on the resolutions that have already been passed by the UN Human Rights Council. It has made various promises to the international community but nothing has been fulfilled. Even when UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay visited the country, she raised these issues but the government has not yet come up with a satisfactory answer. Therefore, the government is now in a highly disadvantaged position. The international community is mounting pressure and demanding the government to fulfill those promises.
Q: Senior members of the government claim that holding an election in the North alone is a significant achievement. What is your reply to that?
A: First of all, it should be understood that the government was compelled to hold Provincial Council elections in the North and it did not have any other choice. The international community, particularly India, mounted pressure on the government to hold elections in the North. On the other hand, the government tried its best to prevent a fair and democratic electoral process. Military intervention in the election process was extremely high and our candidates came under immense pressure from various parties who were backed by the government. If the government was so keen on having elections in the North, why did they attempt to disturb the process by using state sponsored arms?
A: First of all, it should be understood that the government was compelled to hold Provincial Council elections in the North and it did not have any other choice. The international community, particularly India, mounted pressure on the government to hold elections in the North. On the other hand, the government tried its best to prevent a fair and democratic electoral process. Military intervention in the election process was extremely high and our candidates came under immense pressure from various parties who were backed by the government. If the government was so keen on having elections in the North, why did they attempt to disturb the process by using state sponsored arms?
Q: Do you think rapid infrastructure development and economic progress in the North will stand in favour of the government at the next UNHRC session?
A: What is the infrastructure development in the North? All we see are just carpeted roads! Apart from carpeted roads, the overall infrastructure development in the province is extremely poor. People are deprived of their livelihoods and there are no employment opportunities. Above all, a large number of people are still living in refugee camps. Their core socio-economic issues have not been addressed by the government. In this context, how can they speak of infrastructure development or rapid economic progress in the province? I am a representative of the people in the North and from what I can see, nothing is happening on the ground!
A: What is the infrastructure development in the North? All we see are just carpeted roads! Apart from carpeted roads, the overall infrastructure development in the province is extremely poor. People are deprived of their livelihoods and there are no employment opportunities. Above all, a large number of people are still living in refugee camps. Their core socio-economic issues have not been addressed by the government. In this context, how can they speak of infrastructure development or rapid economic progress in the province? I am a representative of the people in the North and from what I can see, nothing is happening on the ground!
Q: Do you have faith in a credible domestic inquiry or do you prefer an international inquiry over a domestic mechanism?
A: We have no faith in the government and therefore, we don’t think the government would initiate a credible domestic inquiry. That is why we demand an international inquiry into war crimes allegations. In the end, the people of this country should be able to uncover the truth. But we don’t think the government really intends to facilitate that process.
A: We have no faith in the government and therefore, we don’t think the government would initiate a credible domestic inquiry. That is why we demand an international inquiry into war crimes allegations. In the end, the people of this country should be able to uncover the truth. But we don’t think the government really intends to facilitate that process.
