Video: Russia, China, criticise Pillay’s report; others commend it

26 March 2014 05:52 pm - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Several countries including Russia and China criticised the report compiled by UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay, during the interactive dialogue held at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva yesterday while a majority of countries including the US, UK and France commended the document and called on all countries to support the adoption of the resolution against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka received strong backing from Russia, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Venezuela, Belarus and Zimbabwe, which criticised the report submitted by Pillay based on her fact-finding mission to Sri Lanka last August, as ‘imbalanced’ and one that ‘exceeded the mandate granted by resolution 22/1’.

Speaking during the interactive dialogue, representatives from Russia said they could not agree with the contents of the report as it exceed Pillay’s mandate and interfered with the domestic affairs of Sri Lanka. They went on to state that the absence of ‘explosions or civilian deaths’ for the past five years should be recognised, adding that, “Human rights should not be used as a means of settling political goals or gaining geopolitical advantage.”

China too criticised the report as one that had undermined the basis of international cooperation on human rights. “We support Sri Lanka to defend its national independent sovereignty,” the speaker representing China said, while calling on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to strictly follow its granted mandate.

“The report does not acknowledge the many achievements by Sri Lanka in reaching towards reconciliation and reflects the imbalance in verifying human rights issues in countries of the South,” the Cuban speaker said in his comments during the interactive session, and added that the proposed international investigation would only create a negative impact on Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process.

Meanwhile Pakistan in its statement said, “Sri Lanka should not be penalised for rooting out terrorism from its soil.”

However, the long list of countries that commended Pillay’s report, which included the US, UK, France, the EU, Montenegro, Ireland, Austria, the Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Norway, Canada and Switzerland, while praising the resettlement and development activities carried out by the Government of Sri Lanka in conflict affected zones, repeatedly stressed on the inadequacy of measures taken with respect to restoring reconciliation and promoting accountability.

Concerns were raised over a number of issues, including harassment/ arbitrary detention of human rights activists, restrictions on media freedom, violence against women particularly in conflict affected zones, attacks on minority communities and places of religious worship. Specific mentions of the recent detentions of Ruki Fernando, Fr. Praveen Maheshan and Jeyakumari were mentioned by the US and Germany.

In a strong statement by the US, the speaker expressed deep concern over the recent reports of attacks on minorities including Muslims and Christians and places of religious worship with specific mentions of ‘indiscriminate killings and ‘alleged war crimes’. “We hope Sri Lanka will respond positively to the technical support offered and take measures to fully implement the LLRC recommendations,” the speaker said.

Meanwhile Greece, making a statement representing the EU, highlighted the reference made in Pillay’s report on Sri Lanka’s failure to address human rights violations as “fundamentally a lack of political will,” and called on all counties to support the adoption of the resolution against Sri Lanka.
Montenegro stated that an independent international inquiry, as called for by the US-backed resolution against Sri Lanka, would be beneficial to establishing the truth.

The UK in their statement commented on the references made by Sri Lanka on the link between the recent detentions and regrouping attempts of the LTTE. “Even when taking action to combat terrorism, it has to be done in a way that is in accord with the specific international obligations,” the speaker said.
Apart from these countries, a long list of Non-governmental organizations, including the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, the International Commission of Jurists, Human Rights Watch Canada, World Evangelical Alliance, Amnesty International, International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism and the International Buddhist Foundation also made comments during the interactive dialogue held yesterday at the 52nd meeting of the 25th session of the UNHRC in Geneva. (Lakna Paranamanna)
►WATCH

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 33

Suq Madique Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:03 AM

[quote name="Asokamala"]"One can be judged by the friends he keeps"[/quote]
Same can be said of the UK and US after the thousands they killed in Iraq and elsewhere.

Shiva Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:09 AM

[quote name="Asokamala"]"One can be judged by the friends he keeps"[/quote]

Well said!!!!

Buruwa Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:35 AM

[quote name="Gayan1973"]Russia, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Venezuela, Belarus and Zimbabwe. Our new holiday destinatinations and where our children will be able to study.[/quote]
What about the other Bananna Republics ?

PRI Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:38 AM

WHAT ABOUT CRIMEA, TIBET, ZIMABABWE MIGABI...........................?

shan Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:44 AM

[quote name="Azee"]Birds of a feather flock together and accordingly the countries supporting SL are suthoritarian states- with a notable absentee being North Korea. via DM Android App[/quote]
World Evangelical Alliance.. The same Alliance that Preaches hate against Muslims in the USA and backed the Iraq War of Genocide, and condemns the rights of homosexuals.

Don Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:04 AM

She is or tamil oriign and definitelya LTTE supporter.What about Iraq where they did not find any bio-logical weapons.Which is the bigger problem out of the 2.This one a little bitch who supports LTTE

hamid Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:20 AM

pillay david camaroon,steven harper,jayalalitha are all scared of lttte and the tamil diaspora, if they dont support they will be bumped off an eg was rajive gandhi and many sri lanken leaderes.

human rights should start in america, canada and great britin(rights of blacks,indians,inuits ,guantanamo,vietnam,afganistan,palastian any many many more), so it is easy to pick on sri lanka, no more buliying will work, world knows the truth.

Ranjith Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:22 AM

Harper will one day taste his own medicine when Tamils in Canada ask for separate state. Day is not too far. Discussions are already going on.

Bombily Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:38 AM

Tamil Pillay wants to land the top job at UN (part of US) when Ban K Moon is out & will not have any chance unless she bumsucks the US & the west.

Asaranaya Thursday, 27 March 2014 12:38 PM

Well said Azee. Russia annexed Crimea, China is crushing Uyghurs in Xinjiyang, Tibetans speak volumes of their treatment under China, Zimbabwe under Mugabe does not need any comments, Venezuela is crushing its political opponents, Belarus a lap dog of Russia, Pakistan's treatment of Baluch people is well known. In Iran people are hung in public. Who says we don't have friends in UN. via DM iPad app

Lucky Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:10 AM

[quote name="kumar"][quote name="ANTON"]SOUNDS LIKE PILLAY WANTS TO BE THE HERO OF TAMILS AND LEADER OF THE PRO LTTEERS.[/quote]
I don't think she has such intention but merely doing the job of the High Commissioner for HR.[/quote]
She also a Tamil herself and how come she is investigating Tamil issues and why don't she place someone like a neutral person.

srinath.gunaratne Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:10 AM

I think the Sri Lankan government played into the hands of UK US by not strongly condemning the and upholding the rule of law on religious tolerance,

We should condemn at every possibility of the hypocritical nature of EU and US the so called international community that teach us right and wrong while killing thousands all over the world and Miss Pillay their agent.

At the same time government must stop blaming and address the big law and order issue in Sri Lanka. Otherwise we will soon lose our hard earned freedom and security.

We do not need UN sanctions to go down, We only need US and EU sanctions. So we must know our place in the earth and we do not have nuclear weapons to defend our selves.

ALISTEN sydney Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:13 AM

Use common sense guys, Look at the countries supported Srilanakan. Shame. All these countires should have cuts to talk about human rights. They are the abusers.You r country and don't live forever like this. Tamils can do better unforutnatively , tigers killed Rajiv so you are lucky .

vasanthie Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:13 AM

[quote name="kumar"][quote name="ANTON"]SOUNDS LIKE PILLAY WANTS TO BE THE HERO OF TAMILS AND LEADER OF THE PRO LTTEERS.[/quote]
I don't think she has such intention but merely doing the job of the High Commissioner for HR.[/quote]
She just doing her job in a proper way

shaju Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:18 AM

This is not about what LTTE the terror organisation did, they are history & we are thankful to the present regime for it. But what the present regime has been doing for last 5 years since wiping out the LTTE is the questionable. All what we need is GOOD GOVERNANCE, RULE OF LAW with restoring of democratic rule. We are patriots of our mother land. Majority of the members of the current regime lie thru their teeth & some are compelled to do so for fear from the masters. We need a system in place & only the party/colour changing hands at polls.

bumiputhra Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:30 AM

[quote name="Gayan1973"]Russia, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Venezuela, Belarus and Zimbabwe. Our new holiday destinatinations and where our children will be able to study.[/quote]
Why Ignore Sri Lanka for educating children, 10% NASA Scientists from here some one said.

Suren Thursday, 27 March 2014 10:09 AM

Sri Lanka and it's friends should not worry for
International Investigation If they have't done any thing wrong.
I don't know why they are worried ?

what??? Thursday, 27 March 2014 02:30 AM

?Even when taking action to combat terrorism, it has to be done in a way that is in accord with the specific international obligations?

kumar Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:07 AM

[quote name="ANTON"]SOUNDS LIKE PILLAY WANTS TO BE THE HERO OF TAMILS AND LEADER OF THE PRO LTTEERS.[/quote]
I don't think she has such intention but merely doing the job of the High Commissioner for HR.

kumar Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:05 AM

[quote name="Ceylonese"]looks they (US etc.) addressed to LTTE(the killers) via DM Android App[/quote]
Don't think so!. but they didn't back the world's worst war criminals.

mack Thursday, 27 March 2014 11:10 AM

very interesting the county's that support SL have a wonderful human rights record via DM Android App

Manhattan Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:33 AM

wow see the support we have all freindly countries sinilar to Sri Lanka either run the country by familly or dictator. Now I think looking at freinds we have our govt politicians will withdraw all their children from western countries and their their properties. Hereafter our govt politicians will not go for holiday in western countries and who supported the motion against Sri Lanka? via DM Android App

aja Thursday, 27 March 2014 02:51 AM

please all this people and countries who now support the LTTE overseas workers should go through what we went through . They only gave statements when bomb exploded in SL nothing more and we suffered for 30 years Tamils, Muslims , Sinhalese all suffered time that we move forward , give time it only solution
when the US wants to bomb Iraq all is fine no questions asked .

kamma Thursday, 27 March 2014 02:50 AM

Please let Tigers, UN, UK and USA to take the ownership of the country. Probably they know something better than the rest of the world.

Azee Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:42 AM

Birds of a feather flock together and accordingly the countries supporting SL are suthoritarian states- with a notable absentee being North Korea. via DM Android App

Gayan1973 Thursday, 27 March 2014 02:07 AM

Russia, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Venezuela, Belarus and Zimbabwe. Our new holiday destinatinations and where our children will be able to study.

ANTON Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:57 AM

SOUNDS LIKE PILLAY WANTS TO BE THE HERO OF TAMILS AND LEADER OF THE PRO LTTEERS.

George Clooney Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:45 AM

Looks like international investigators will be arriving in SL soon going by ththis report. What next economic and travel sanctions???? SL people are living in poverty already.

Asokamala Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:31 AM

"One can be judged by the friends he keeps"

shan Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:08 AM

This is an international Coup led by USA and its henchmen.

hi..ah Thursday, 27 March 2014 12:59 AM

Like Russia seperate and annex Tamil ellam with india

ABC Thursday, 27 March 2014 04:47 AM

We well know how these so called defenders of HR conduct wars in Vietnam,Iraq , middle east and central asia etc. via DM Android App

Ceylonese Thursday, 27 March 2014 03:49 AM

looks they (US etc.) addressed to LTTE(the killers) via DM Android App

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Video: Russia, China, criticise Pillay’s report; others commend it

Comments - 33

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Two racing drivers arrested over Fox Hill tragedy

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No footboard riding allowed, no liability for accidents: Railways Department

Six patients claim Rs.600 million from Keheliya and others for permanent loss of sight

SLPP, UNP initiates action for forming broad alliance

Here is the way!

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident