Panel to discuss mandate

28 June 2010 03:34 pm - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Jamila Najmuddin EXCLUSIVE

The Expert Panel appointed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon to advise him on issues relating to Sri Lanka will be meeting soon to discuss their mandate before they commence work, Chairman of the Panel, Marsuki Darusman told Daily Mirror online.

The former Indonesian Attorney General speaking to Daily Mirror online from New York, said that the Panel is expected to meet with UN officials soon to discuss what exactly is expected of them and only thereafter will the three member committee begin its work.

A UN Spokesman had reiterated last week that the Panel is not an investigative body but only an advisory committee to brief the UN Chief on issues relating to Sri Lanka and is available also to the Sri Lankan government if they wish to make use of it.

However Darusman told Daily Mirror online that they have not yet been told what their role will be and therefore are waiting for further communication from the UN on what is expected from the three member committee.

“The panel has not yet met and it is only after we meet that we will make a collective decision on what needs to be done. We first need to sit with the UN officials and discuss what is expected of the panel,” Darusman said.

“We are waiting for further details from the UN and my two colleagues and I will begin work soon after,” Darusman added.

Darusman had earlier told the BBC said that Sri Lanka’s decision to deny him and his two colleagues visas was “highly unfortunate” and a barrier to finding out the truth.

However UN Spokesperson Martin Nesirky had said that the UN Panel does not need to enter Sri Lanka in order carry out their duties which is expected to be completed in four months after which a report will be handed over to the UN Chief.

The Sri Lankan government has strongly objected to the appointment of the panel saying it is an infringement on the rights of a sovereign nation which has created its own commission of lessons learnt and reconciliation. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 23

logical silva Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:20 AM

The panel does'nt even know what is expected from them still..one guy says it's only a advisory panel and the other says it is an investigative panel..this clearly shows how useless the UN has become nowadays! No wonder sri lanka rejected such a shady panel in the first place.

Calistus Jayatilleke Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:13 AM

Why only "suspend" membership, We have an expert in "unplugging" everything from international bodies.

victoria Tuesday, 29 June 2010 08:03 AM

Yes before UN them selves sanctions sri lanka

Concerned citizen Tuesday, 29 June 2010 07:10 AM

Bravo! At least one person has the guts to say this!!

Concerned citizen Tuesday, 29 June 2010 07:08 AM

Yes, the same will happen to us when we seek visa to enter their countries. Visa refused for no reason!

Concerned citizen Tuesday, 29 June 2010 07:07 AM

According to your statistics, 1/4th of garments are exported to the EU. What about the other exports? Did you think that the EU market is only for garments? I would suggest that you find out from the same source what else we export to the EU and how these products would suffer when the GSP+ is withdrawn, as we will not be able to compete with major exporting countries to the EU such as China. Do you know how many people work in those factories which manufacture products for the EU market? Do you know how many family members depend on that income and how many people in a community benefit indirectly from that income?

Roshan Tuesday, 29 June 2010 05:40 AM

Lionheart, we have been begging since the Indepedence. Do we have the feet to stand up?

david Tuesday, 29 June 2010 05:39 AM

If we can Challenge UN......It seems UN will pressure on this issue..

citizen-crazy lanka Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:56 AM

stand up on our own feet... ? do you really have a heart of lion?

we are beggers and we have been begging and we always beg... may be not from EU.. from other places

Murshid Idroos Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:42 AM

I think we should suspend our membership

kumar Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:39 AM

Are you suggesting same thing happened in Sri Lanka too.

gemba Monday, 28 June 2010 03:49 PM

What our JHU & MR Family is going to do about this? I think our leaders have successfully nailed our own coffin. In 2 months time we will be loosing our GSP+ as well and over a period more than 100,000 Sri Lankan will loose their job. Only escape route for them to take up slavery job (house maid) in middle east and ruin their life. I think we don’t need this type of autocratic and short sighted leader who doesn’t are about the general public

Weeraya Tuesday, 29 June 2010 04:02 AM

We are a sovereign nation and we have power to stop foreigners entering our shores! Learn the definiton of sovereignity!

Ind Tuesday, 29 June 2010 03:59 AM

Go and meet Obama and take advices on how to investigate in Iraq masacres done by US soldiers, Like "360 degree Rotational fire"

UNL Tuesday, 29 June 2010 03:27 AM

We export 76% of total garments to US. only 24% to EU, Japan & other contries. we need to focus on US market. don't be gemba in well.

Bird Eye Tuesday, 29 June 2010 03:16 AM

Accept anything as long as u are on payrol

Lionheart Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:38 AM

What you propose "Gemba". To Beg around the world for every thing or Stand up by our Foot. When there are people like you the second option would be a dream.

Lankikaya Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:23 AM

What is the problem? Let the panel investigate and find that there is no Truth in the allegations.

SLCanuck Monday, 28 June 2010 05:31 PM

UN the most useless international body in the world. Its sole purpose is to protect the interests of western countries! 70% of UN's funding comes from the US.

Lion Monday, 28 June 2010 05:17 PM

Refusing Visa for members is clear indication of SL govt try to cover up truth in the name of sovereignty , Wake up people wakr up!!

Rupasingha Hewagama Monday, 28 June 2010 04:41 PM

Experts? Would have expected such to know what they are supposed to do before accepting membership in a panel! They can't be experts after-all. Investigate without knowing ground situation? "No need for site visits", and so says Mr. Moon's staffer! How much does the world body pay such experts and staffers? Please disclose

SLFireBall Monday, 28 June 2010 04:10 PM

It seems that Darusman has not clearly understood his mandate. Same as his appointer UN Sec gen.

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Panel to discuss mandate

Comments - 23

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