Navi Pillay warns Sri Lanka

23 March 2012 12:13 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay today warned that there must be no reprisals against Sri Lankan human rights defenders in the aftermath of yesterday's adoption by the Human Rights Council of a resolution on Sri Lanka.

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Rupert Colville quoting Miss Pillay said that during this Human Rights Council session, there has been an unprecedented and totally unacceptable level of threats, harassment and intimidation directed at Sri Lankan activists who had travelled to Geneva to engage in the debate, including by members of the 71-member official Sri Lankan government delegation. Intimidation and harassment of Sri Lankan civil society activists have also been reported in other locations around Geneva.

On the other hand, the Sri Lankan ambassador in Geneva received an anonymous threatening letter which is being followed up by the police and UN security.

At the same time in Sri Lanka itself, newspapers, news websites and TV and radio stations have since January been running a continuous campaign of vilification, including naming and in many cases picturing activists, describing them as an “NGO gang” and repeatedly accusing them of treason, mercenary activities and association with terrorism. Some of these reports have contained barely veiled incitement and threats of retaliation. At least two comments posted by readers of articles of this type have called for burning down of the houses of the civil society activists named in the articles, and at least one such comment called openly for them to be killed.

The High Commissioner has noted that some of the attacks on human rights defenders were carried in Sri Lankan state media and Government websites or were filed by journalists who had been officially accredited to the Human Rights Council session by the Sri Lankan permanent mission. She is calling on the Government to ensure the protection of human rights defenders, to publicly disassociate itself from such statements, and to clearly uphold the right of Sri Lankan citizens to freely engage in international debate of this kind.

The High Commissioner has also noted that Sri Lanka's own Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, in its report published in December, made extensive and positive references to the role civil society can play in reconciliation and rehabilitation efforts, and stressed this would require greater tolerance towards differing views within Sri Lankan civil society and the protection of Sri Lankan human rights defenders.

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Comments - 30

basi Friday, 23 March 2012 07:28 PM

Those kind of comments and reactions are pretty normal in western too..I can't understand why she made a big push on that..

Nath Sunday, 25 March 2012 10:00 AM

US wants the Govt. change, Our Govt should stop feasting and work for all people including Sinhalese. to safe guard their power.

perera Sunday, 25 March 2012 07:54 AM

only when it suits the us.
see what they did to occupy new york
that is freedom us style in us.

Siva Saturday, 24 March 2012 04:23 PM

all fools

HUMAN Saturday, 24 March 2012 04:11 PM

NEXT HUMAN RIGHTS HEAD IS A WOMEN FROM PAKISTHAN , THEN WHAT GO TO SAY .?

freehit Saturday, 24 March 2012 03:51 PM

How do you expect us to treat these traitors, Navi Pillai? By garlanding them and kissing their cheeks ? No way dear ! I'd rather wring their necks and won't feel bad about it.

Human,human Saturday, 24 March 2012 07:46 AM

I know/rememeber this woman from S africa, Rassist and after money. Cant beleive working for UN??

Fair N Square Saturday, 24 March 2012 08:10 AM

why do all BIG guns try to step on lil nations? Is SL not the ONLY country to have eradicated terrorism. The so called WEST give an impression that they are against terrorism IF so how come ya'll treat a country that destroyed terrorism this way,instead of supporting to rebuild? Whats happening in Afghanistan, The WEST drops bombs and kill innocent civilians. who accounts for their death? where is the UN and other Organisations? IS justice served to all those killed ? SHAME on a spineless rg who is a lap dog of the US.... Sl could have called those killed at the last stages of war as "Collateral Damage" or say they were at the wrong place atthe wrong time.....even after leaflets were dropped for the masses to leave. IN this the WEST is with the terrorists... So its we are with u and not against... GW BUSH has his last laugh...

Fair N Square Saturday, 24 March 2012 08:01 AM

coz she is a proxy of theNOW defunct LTTE

conscience Saturday, 24 March 2012 06:37 AM

Well said Navi - thee deserve such a warning! Open for any reaction!!

athula Saturday, 24 March 2012 06:09 AM

When somebody of the calibre of mervin utter nonsense few Sri Lankans listen and forget.But president of United Nation Security council address it entire world take note of it. Even the countries who voted for us or abstain will loose confidence of this country due to irresponsible manner the ministers utterance.They live on tax payers money and ultimately poor citizens will suffer. We do not want any foreign inference.,but we need support every body .Please act wisely

The Liberal Saturday, 24 March 2012 06:22 AM

free speech, yes. Its OK to criticise. It's only a problem if that becomes physical violence

The Liberal Saturday, 24 March 2012 06:09 AM

I think it's sad....after the war we had a real situation to improve as a democratic society, and we have squandered it. HR vioaltaions are common during war times, though by no means justifiable, but you'd find it anywhere in the world. But after the war we could have put things right. And really we have done zero.

Nodrog Saturday, 24 March 2012 05:22 AM

Like to hear her utter these same words to the US......but she dares not as it will be the end of her UN career.

Adam & Eve Saturday, 24 March 2012 03:48 AM

What we need is purely a regime change, whether its extrinsic or intrinsic initiated.
Saranga, we need to change our attitudes. Country is being lead to a slow and painful distruction, and eventually to death. Let's correct ourselves and take the good advice, regardless of who gives the advice.

DeSelva Friday, 23 March 2012 12:53 PM

welcome to the real Sri Lanka

Jagath Friday, 23 March 2012 03:15 PM

We have to take insults from every tom, dick and harry in the world because of our hooligan leaders.

haris Friday, 23 March 2012 03:10 PM

Freedom of speech is a human right, isn't it? This type of talk is a common occurance in the US.

reader Friday, 23 March 2012 02:57 PM

diaspora dollars are talking

hello Friday, 23 March 2012 03:02 PM

The whole world now knows what SL Govt is made of. Mervyn, you are a typical representative of our Govt.

the optimist Friday, 23 March 2012 02:58 PM

@Saranga We have to stop calling everyone who criticizes Sri Lanka "a terrorist" or "LTTE", that will only seek to trivialize the heinous crimes committed by the LTTE.

mohamed Friday, 23 March 2012 02:58 PM

i request the government to implement strict visa rules for visiting canadian and european citizens of srilankan origins..tigers never ever will rise in this world..they are cursed people.even karunanidhi.navi pillay all wil realise soon.srilanka is a blessed country..srilanka s for sinhala.muslim.tamil people.not for pro ltte killers.

Tharaka Chanaka Friday, 23 March 2012 02:40 PM

Navi,aunty ... in sinhala we say: Katha Vahapung!

kurma Friday, 23 March 2012 02:48 PM

Sri Lanka is now trying its HR violations overseas

C.K. Lankaputhra Friday, 23 March 2012 02:39 PM

Typical attitude of Sri Lankan politicians. Shame.

Nish Friday, 23 March 2012 02:46 PM

this woman is a LTTE member. No doubt

bandulasterb Friday, 23 March 2012 02:46 PM

What do you think of Karuna amman and Pillian and those who are with them now?

remedy Friday, 23 March 2012 02:31 PM

this kind of thnking brought everyone of us to ZERO

Pillai Friday, 23 March 2012 02:11 PM

What will she do on Dr Merivn.. Solution Marry him - Problem Solved

Saranga Friday, 23 March 2012 12:42 PM

get stuffed,,, personally I think this women is also LTTE

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Navi Pillay warns Sri Lanka

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