Al-Hussein slams govt.

7 November 2014 07:59 pm - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein yesterday said the statements made by the government of Sri Lanka casting doubts on the integrity of the OHCHR (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights) investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) were an insult to the UN mandated investigation.

Mr. Hussein said Sri Lanka’s continuing campaign of distortion and disinformation about the OISL and attempts to prevent witnesses from submitting information to it was an affront to the UNHRC mandated investigation.

He said the government’s refusal to cooperate with the investigation should not be used to undermine its integrity.

“Instead it raises concerns about the integrity of the government in question. Why would governments with nothing to hide go to such extraordinary lengths to sabotage an impartial international investigation?” he asked.

Mr. Hussein also condemned alleged government attempts to intimidate individuals seeking to cooperate with the investigation, stating that such actions were unacceptable for any UN member-state that has committed itself to uphold the UN charter.

"A wall of fear has been created that has undoubtedly served to deter people from submitting evidence," he added.

While rejecting accusations leveled earlier this week by External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris that the UN probe was ‘unprofessional, selective and biased’, the HR Chief said it was absurd to accuse the investigation of lacking integrity just because certain groups attempted to submit false evidence or fabricate facts.
“We don’t accept anything at face value. UN human rights investigators are trained to spot fraudulent submissions. The process of analysis and corroboration of information and evidence is well defined, refined and codified on the basis of many years of experience,” he said.

Commenting on the issues raised by Prof. Peiris on the transparency of the probe, Mr. Hussein said such information would not be released since it was standard procedure to protect sources of information especially where there was a clear risk of reprisal.

Mr. Hussein also urged the government to begin engaging with the probe. “Focus on the substantive issues under investigation instead of obscuring them by the constant questioning of procedures which, while not unimportant, are not at the heart of the matter,” he added. (Lakna Paranamanna)

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Comments - 39

bala Saturday, 08 November 2014 03:30 PM

Now he will be branded a tiger sympathizer.

Empulze Saturday, 08 November 2014 10:00 AM

There are a fair share of bais police reports and what not filed against the citizens of Sri Lanka locally and Mr.G.L.Peris says that international investigation against Sri Lanka is all fake Seroiusly what the hell via DM Android App

Dilip De Alwis Saturday, 08 November 2014 10:16 AM

The so called UN has no unite. They are divided and helping the European countries and turn a blind eye on any probe. UN should ind their own business and they should remember that we are a sovereign country.

Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 08 November 2014 10:17 AM

How dare? LTTE care.

dalubanda Saturday, 08 November 2014 10:42 AM

Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein may be not aware that he is paid western agent.

Madlin Saturday, 08 November 2014 10:50 AM

Our EAM should take absolute responsibility for this mess. This is the time we need the Late Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar. As a country we are still not making any effort to come out of this other than still condemning the west and the UN. Hope atleast now our leaders will wake up if they love this country. via DM Android App

srimahal Saturday, 08 November 2014 11:51 AM

Rabukwella of Sri Lanka Govt. told Sri Lanka Public and Media that Hussein is in favour of Sri Lanka and not Pillai when he was elected?But now what he say about him to the Media and Public?

kan Saturday, 08 November 2014 12:04 PM

UN has already lost integrity in all respects.. OHCHR must start investigating human right violations by US, UK in Iraq because of them now there is instability and millions have died and still dying by creation of IS which also should be blamed on US.What about Libya, Afganistan, Tunisia, etc, all the atrocities and interference in these and other counties by leading so called super powers should be investigated without any partiality. If not then get out of Sri Lanka and do not disturb our peace and try to create chaos.

chandra Saturday, 08 November 2014 12:08 PM

They just bark on because menance of terror exterminated. Why dont they look at Iraq, Afganistan, Libiya where people are suffering due to armed gang supported by west?

buckman533 Saturday, 08 November 2014 01:45 PM

well said sir ,where is the unhrc for the immence war crimes created by israel ?????? are you sleeping ??? the whole world has live tv footage and still you spineless kafir why are you silent ??????????????? millions ahve been killed in the name of war on terror by america and there pussies the british and other western countries as they need to survive by saving there intereststs .they talk of dumb demcracy where the un is a biased organisation .first yu need to bring george bush and his poodle tony blair to the icc war crimes tribunal and should be hanged for the killings and maiming of millions of iraqies and afganistanies .hussein you are anotyher puppet like the yankee banki moon .keep away from sri lanka becos these are no war crimes .realll war crimes get the israelies ,usa,british who have broken all unhrc resolutions and gone to war and killed many helpless people .so get lost al husein .

Nihal Amarasekera Saturday, 08 November 2014 09:28 AM

Government may be wrong to a certain extents but the "probe" is a witch hunt for not listening to the "west" and annihilating "Sun God", it is a fact as stubborn as MR.

Real Peace Saturday, 08 November 2014 05:26 PM

Disaster in the making! Sanctions to follow!! Lankans are back to begging bowl! Thank you govt!!!

kithudugama Saturday, 08 November 2014 07:33 PM

How come these UN staff become brainless buffoons ?look at what they have done in other countries to resolve human right issues. Come t6o Sri Lanka at your own riskk

lanka Saturday, 08 November 2014 08:07 PM

Al-Hussein is nothing but a cover up merchant for US, UK, EU and others who pay his salary. He will sing their praises till the cows come home and pretend to be blind for others. Navi Pillai is enjoying the enormous pension and this joker is on track for his.

Yuri Saturday, 08 November 2014 11:30 PM

Do you mean Sri lankan is Evil ?

Nims Sunday, 09 November 2014 03:40 AM

John Black - a simple question to you. Would you justify the mass murders and war crimes committed and still committing by the US, UK and its allies? This is not a matter of Tamil or Muslim

Nims Sunday, 09 November 2014 03:49 AM

That is called the 5 Star Democracy of the West which continue to reduce stock piling of their dirty business of weapons. Unfortunately those idiots killing each other whilst the economy of the west continue to flourish

Nodrog Sunday, 09 November 2014 07:29 AM

What about the comments of the UNHR Chief? Obviously he is also singing for his supper by ingratiating himself to the US. Now that their modus-operandi on collecting false accusations has been found out they have no choice but to deny and throw more red-herrings into the equation to further confuse the issue

Suq Madique Sunday, 09 November 2014 09:44 AM

Did you take time off from pumping petrol to comment? Did you think it was going to change anything?

Karigalan Sunday, 09 November 2014 01:21 PM

How to categoriesLTTE or Diaspora ?some help pls

C.K.Lankaputhra Saturday, 08 November 2014 07:27 AM

Mr. G.L. Peris should understand that OISL is also like the Sri Lanka government which make Mr. Peris to talk on what is given is given him to read.

Appaman Friday, 07 November 2014 10:50 PM

The statements made by the Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs is very low and disturbing. He is just trying to satisfy his master and a disgrace to the Oxford University. I have lot all regard for scholars from Oxford. My village school will do better.

TheOwl Friday, 07 November 2014 11:02 PM

Sorry Sir, Sri Lanka government believes in the 3 monkey story. The see no evil, talk no evil and hear no evil.

Dias Friday, 07 November 2014 11:07 PM

The sponsors of this probe have blood of millions in their hands. The UNHCR head is a pawn in their hands. So why should we allow discriminatory treatment against us???

TONY Friday, 07 November 2014 11:25 PM

FOURTH PARA FORTHRIGHT

Yuri Saturday, 08 November 2014 01:48 AM

Please Do not send back Our House Maids. its only hope and the last solution to this country.

Nims Saturday, 08 November 2014 01:59 AM

Dear Sir/UN Human Rights Chief Zeid Raad Al-Hussein, only way you can prove the integrity of the OHCHR is by investigating the war crimes committed by the US, UK and their allies in the past. If you cannot do this please STOP taking about your integrity.

Adam Kondrad Saturday, 08 November 2014 05:38 AM

UNHRC should be ashamed of releasing this new letter. Have they said anything of the civilian killings by Air Raid of the Coalition partners against the ISIS? Who is responsible of the thousands of deaths every month in Iraq and Syria. What about Commissioners own back yard there the CIA HQ for Mid East is stationed and the civilians are subject to untold misery? Do not insult to the intelligence of the right minded people Commissioner

Ed Rowlands Saturday, 08 November 2014 06:00 AM

The OHCHR has a credibility problem. Mr Hussein may claim that their investigations are transparent, but until he neutralises the groups use the social media to propagate their claims and spread falsehoods that they think will influence a OHCHR investigation, no one is going to believe that any OHCHR investigation is fair and above board.

Ferdi Saturday, 08 November 2014 06:17 AM

do not forget UNHCR kept a deffening silence when we were in turmoil. When will you start a probe on the US led drone strikes?

Appaman Friday, 07 November 2014 10:50 PM

The statements made by the Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs is very low and disturbing. He is just trying to satisfy his master and a disgrace to the Oxford University. I have lot all regard for scholars from Oxford. My village school will do better.

honest Saturday, 08 November 2014 07:30 AM

Well said. Sl Govt actions over these years only confirm fear of guilt being exposed.

John Black Saturday, 08 November 2014 07:36 AM

First it was Navi Pillai being biased as she was Tamil and now it would be Al-Hussein being biased as he is a muslim......

ibadun Saturday, 08 November 2014 08:05 AM

SL feel that its citizen accept Roads and airport and housing instead of their loved loss

kithudugama Saturday, 08 November 2014 08:24 AM

UN is a fake Its a long luxury holiday for their staff. These people have failed to protect the Human rights of many countries Why barking at Sri Lanka ? GET LOST

pema Saturday, 08 November 2014 08:52 AM

Oh One is worst than the other!

naren Saturday, 08 November 2014 08:53 AM

MR....... you can fool some people some time ...... you can fool all the people sometime......... but you cannot fool all the people all the time..

Thomas Ranger Saturday, 08 November 2014 09:03 AM

Mr. Hussain, our so called Minister of External Affiars is an absurd person.

anthony Saturday, 08 November 2014 09:20 AM

UNHCR

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Al-Hussein slams govt.

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