US violating natural justice

By Chrishanthi Christopher and Lashane Cooray    2013-03-10 Sri Lanka on Sunday, accused the US of violating the laws of natural justice in regard to the proceedings at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva. Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), Commissioner, Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, accused the US, which has drafted a resolution against Sri Lanka, of trying to be the judge of their own cause, by not backing down and letting the other nations vote on the resolution. “They are violating the laws of natural justice in this very biased situation,” he said. Dr. Mahanamahewa questioning the inaction of the USA when it came to interfering in matters pertaining to countries other than Sri Lanka asked “Why not pass resolutions against Israel or numerous other countries with such issues?” When asked about the recent police action, where several bus loads of civilians from Vavuniya, were stopped from coming Colombo to hand over an entreaty to the United Nations (UN) office, and the statement from the US Embassy in Sri Lanka on the government action, Dr. Mahanamahewa said, “If the 1966 Civil and Political Rights Convention is to be considered, the concepts of freedom of expression and association were clearly explained. Any person has a democratic right for expressing himself, but this is not an unlimited, unrestricted right, unlike the right to life and the right to exemption from torture. All other rights are restricted to a certain degree by international laws, a country’s economy and security.” He questioned the urgency for such protests in the country, especially at such a crucial time for Sri Lanka. “Efforts are being made to tarnish the country’s reputation in Geneva. Why has this specific time period been chosen for protest actions?” he asked, adding, “Sri Lanka should follow National Policy when dealing with such issues, and not heed the whims of other countries.” Meanwhile, a UN Spokesman based in New York has stated that the protest group did not have to specifically visit Colombo to convey a message to the UN. However, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, E. Sarawanabawan,  while welcoming the UN concern and its comment that the protestors need not go to Colombo to handover complaints,  said the aim of the protest was not only reaching out to the international community, but also to the people in Colombo and the South. He said the Sinhala media is ignorant of what is happening in the North. “The Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, says there are no missing people in the North to the Sinhala media and they believe it,” he said, explaining that when the protesters go to Colombo and hold placards and are photographed, there is coverage and the whole island knows what is happening in the North. “There is an advantage in going to Colombo to protest,” he reiterated. Confirming that the letter to the United Nations has already been delivered, he also said that he trusted the Government Agent Vavuniya, Bandula Harischandra, would have handed over the letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. (Ceylon Today Online)