Russia slams UN panel

25 June 2010 01:49 am - 39 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Russian government has criticized UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to appointment a panel of experts on Sri Lanka saying it should have been done in consultation with the Security Council or the General Assembly as well as Sri Lanka.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow has taken note of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s decision to appoint a UN panel of experts to investigate war crimes during the period of the campaign against the LTTE.

“In doing so, the UN Secretary-General as chief administrative officer of the United Nations should apparently have asked the opinion of the Security Council or the General Assembly on this matter. But this has not happened. What also makes us cautious is the fact that this decision was taken without regard to the position of a sovereign state and a member of the UN – Sri Lanka,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

The UN panel is not a fact finding or investigation mechanism, but is designed solely to advise the UN Chief on accountability issues relating to alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

However Russia notes that Sri Lanka has already begun their own investigation process at national level and the primary responsibility for investigating the events that occurred in the past in Sri Lanka lies with the Sri Lankan Government.

Sri Lanka regards the appointment of the Sri Lanka Panel of Experts as unwarranted and unnecessary and contrary to the position of a UN member state.

The Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the newly appointed UN panel of experts, which, as follows from UN Secretariat statements, does not intend to visit Sri Lanka and will not take any steps that would complicate the investigation being conducted by the authorities of Colombo. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 39

Rajitha Friday, 25 June 2010 07:43 AM

What ever political affiliations we have, we must stand as one to deplore the UN act. I think the goverment very rightly dealt with it. Russia which is a super power has not minced its words.

RajasH Friday, 25 June 2010 05:40 AM

why did it take so long for G L Peries to contact Russia. Soon we will get news that Russia is going to do a major development in Sri Lanka.

Kavitha Friday, 25 June 2010 05:40 AM

very good countries are allied with SL.. disaster ahead..

Ossan Salam - Qatar Friday, 25 June 2010 06:04 AM

First of all the UN head quarter must be shifted to another neutral country capital.... as long as the UN HQ in New york it will be a slavish stooge organization of USA....on the other hand we suspect that America wishs to learn the war mechanism of our army so as to tackle so called terrorism in other countries....

MP Friday, 25 June 2010 06:13 AM

This is the good work of Lankan diplomats in Moscow and close ties to MR.

sam Friday, 25 June 2010 06:23 AM

why canot Ban Ki Moon appoint a panel for Israel, US or other supporting countries against their HR violations? nonsense. bravo Russia

I Hussein Friday, 25 June 2010 06:34 AM

Typical idiotic SL style resposes. Any body praising us is a hero. How many of you nut cases know that ex - USSR is also behind creating an ethnic problem in SL.
I am a pro-Russian but this is a fact.

Nuwan Warawita Friday, 25 June 2010 06:47 AM

Thanks for Russia. Russia had, has and would have been a true friend of Sri Lanka........................Cheers for our long lasting friendship.

kumar Friday, 25 June 2010 07:34 AM

Where are you living? Almost all the countries are criticizing Israel from time to time. Even recently there was a UN delegation led by Dr.Palitha Kohona who went to Israel and raised it's concern over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza strip.

Romesh Bandaranayaka Friday, 25 June 2010 07:41 AM

They hit the nail on the head

Kavitha Friday, 25 June 2010 05:39 AM

All are playing their own game.. finally the poor people are going to pay the price

Micheal De Joot Friday, 25 June 2010 07:47 AM

Sri Lanka will never be affected by this panel. As long as Russia and China which has the veto power backs Sri Lanka all this will be in vain. They will never ever allow an infridgement in Lankan affairs. So will be India.

rubber Friday, 25 June 2010 08:14 AM

current russian foreign minister was the russian embassodr in sri lanka long time ago. He speaks sinhala as well. Probably he enjoyed his stay in sri lanka then and understands the true situation in sri lanka

mike Friday, 25 June 2010 08:29 AM

first of all chechnya is not a country. its federal subject of russia.

Thambi Friday, 25 June 2010 08:40 AM

Who is Russia to comment on Human Rights.

Roy Friday, 25 June 2010 09:24 AM

I am not too sure whether Russia is being friendly to us or not. However Russia has the right to criticize Mr Ban for making decisions on his own without seeking approval of the veto countries, especially when it comes to interfere in affairs of a soveriegn country. What is Mr Ban going to do with the outcome from this panel?. Assuming the worst scenario, Mr Ban still needs to get the nod from the veto countries to bring sanctions to our country. This whole exercise is an unnecessary waste of useful time for all the parties involved including Mr Bans'.

kaduru Friday, 25 June 2010 09:33 AM

Will UN set up a panel against Pakistan and Afghanistan governments if they destroy Taliban and Al-queda??? They better check with UN before they bump them off!

Lanke Banda Friday, 25 June 2010 10:01 AM

What catagory does murdering + 60,000 people by Bombs & suicide Missions fall into UN ?

Wishwa Friday, 25 June 2010 03:45 PM

Thanks Russia, for having 'a strong backbone'!

Niroshan Saturday, 26 June 2010 09:50 AM

Is this true love?

gundagunda Friday, 25 June 2010 04:12 AM

How about China, the other country who sold arms to Sri Lanka?

sara Friday, 25 June 2010 02:21 AM

Hats off to Russia... there is no better friend than someone who helps you when you are in trouble... we will remember this forever...

Gamaralaya Friday, 25 June 2010 02:22 AM

Obiviously, its another country where Human Rights are not respected by the rulers. They also commit war crimes and HR violations in other countries like Chechiniya!

Palitha Heenthotuwa Friday, 25 June 2010 02:26 AM

Ban Ki-moon should first send his panels to Afghanistan, Iraq and Palestine.

L.Y.Dharmasena Friday, 25 June 2010 02:33 AM

Thank you Russia to come forward to protect sovereignity of a tiny country which got rid of terrorism.Dharmasena

Charlie Friday, 25 June 2010 02:45 AM

Russia always with united Srilanka.

Sena2 Friday, 25 June 2010 02:51 AM

Russia has said it well. The million dollar question is what compelled Moon to act in a strange manner in this instance, as he did, without caring to ascertain the wishes of the Security Council and/or the General Assembly.

Defender Friday, 25 June 2010 03:10 AM

Thank you Russia for your valued support.
"Friend in-need is a friend indeed."
This is the time to fight against the super democracy said to have been in the powerful western countries.

Bieng Bullied Friday, 25 June 2010 03:11 AM

Thank you Russia - a true friend of Sri Lanka.

S.H.M Friday, 25 June 2010 04:00 AM

This is a simple test to find out who are our true friends and enemies. Thank you Russia. 'From Lanka with love'.

Arun Friday, 25 June 2010 02:18 AM

it seems too late, Russia should have expressed its view whilst the talks about the appointment was making its round

Chandrika Friday, 25 June 2010 04:20 AM

it is something expected like this china , iran may also oppose because these countries support srilanka
BUT US, EU support the panel!! what I see from most of the comments here is most of them are not interested in Truth or trying to hide the truth under carpet, Truth is good for all!!

SL Friday, 25 June 2010 04:21 AM

when US and UK are defending human rights in Iraq and Afghanistan!!!!!!!!!!!

What a joke!

silva Friday, 25 June 2010 04:29 AM

of cause russia ,china &IRAN WILL OPPOSES ANY INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THEY ALSO ARE VIOLATORS

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 25 June 2010 04:34 AM

"Birds of a feather ........"

kumar Friday, 25 June 2010 04:58 AM

It is not surprised because Russia is also one of the country who violates human rights and denies the equal rights to minorities. We can expect some more countries like Iran, China Myanmar would join in this ally.

gunda Friday, 25 June 2010 05:04 AM

divided (Sinhala/Tamil) Sri Lanka?

logical silva Friday, 25 June 2010 05:11 AM

Then what about US supporting the panel??The biggest war crimes committed country from hiroshima to iraq/afghanistan??

Rajitha Friday, 25 June 2010 05:34 AM

oh yeah the US and the EU are the supreme gods of human rights. we saw it in afganistan, iraq, vietnam, japan...

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Russia slams UN panel

Comments - 39

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