Time is slipping away for SL-US

2 March 2012 10:37 am - 36 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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US Under Secretary of State Maria Otero told the UNHRC session in Geneva today, that the international community has waited nearly three years for action by Sri Lanka and ‘time is slipping away’ for them.

“We know from experience that there can be no lasting peace without reconciliation and accountability, but the United States is concerned that, in Sri Lanka, time is slipping away. The international community has waited nearly three years for action, and while we welcome the release of the LLRC report, the recommendations of the report should be implemented. We have engaged Sri Lanka bilaterally on these issues since the conflict ended in 2009, and stand ready to continue to work with them. Action now in this Council will sow the seeds of lasting peace on the ground,” Ms Otero said.

She also said that “as States increase pressure on rights and freedoms online, the United States must reiterate that the universal freedoms of expression, assembly and association are as applicable on the Internet and mobile technologies as they are to traditional modes of expression. We are concerned that some States are using new technologies to block content and suppress political dissent, and we encourage States to fulfill their human rights commitments and obligations in the context of new technologies.”

“The Council has done a great deal to focus on pressing human rights situations but there are still challenges to address. The United States was disappointed that the Human Rights Council review process did not address the unfair singling out of one country for a permanent agenda item. The Council will improve its credibility when it eliminates Item 7 and addresses all states under a common rubric.”

“Human rights have universal application. All governments, including mine, must respect the human rights of individuals, protect the ability of individuals to exercise their rights, and create mechanisms for transparent and accountable governance. As we participate in this session and seek a second term on the Human Rights Council, the United States will continue to bridge differences and build consensus with all members. We believe the Council continues to make a significant impact on the world, and we look forward to being a part of its ongoing progress.”

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Comments - 36

outsider Saturday, 03 March 2012 12:27 AM

Katmai ... We can keep discussing without any actions, outside Sri Lanka while SL Government and the people have to feed and shelter the people in N&E, on top of safegaurding from outside LTTE blood suckers.

Katmai Friday, 02 March 2012 05:13 PM

Raja who bends rules to his own advantage is seeing an even bigger bully bending the rules against the Raja. Can help but smile at this natural justice system at work.

kolitha Friday, 02 March 2012 05:20 PM

could u please talk few words about Palastine, Iraq, Afganistan, do u know about those countries or no ?

Nimal Friday, 02 March 2012 05:35 PM

Madam! Why have double standards? You are the violators of human rights starting from WW2 to present conflicts in mid east.I hope China and Russia will veto all your unfair resolutions.

Jay Ranaweera Friday, 02 March 2012 05:40 PM

Pl note that when u point one finger at Sri Lanka, THERE ARE $ FINGERS POINTING AT U!!!

Amina Friday, 02 March 2012 06:01 PM

Libiyan Leader's adopted Son was killed by US aircraft carrier bombing some years back - and Gadhapi too was killed by a plot by the US- In Pakistan OSama and his family were killed coldblooded by US. Great Great they are not human just animals for US and its stooges---is anybody there to question this - the UN can you hear us?

Dass Friday, 02 March 2012 05:50 PM

No website is blocked in USA

ronney Friday, 02 March 2012 06:07 PM

Come on not united states of America you violated and still violated your own Red Indians HR
You violated wiki-leaks Julian Assange HR,
You violated Cuban citizen HR all along and still by sanctions
You violated Iraq people HR by false accusations and invaded
You violated Hiroshima and Nagasaki citizens
You violated and still helping Israel to violate PalestiniansHR
you violated Iranian citizen by helping terrorism in Iran
You violated Osama bin laden HR
you violated millions of Vietnamese HR since 1950s
You violated Serbian HR and you bombed Chinese embassy in Serbia
You violated and still doing against innocent Pakistani villages by bombing deliberate
You violated and destabilize Afghanistan Libya Iraq
You supplied military Juntas of Egypt with chemical weapons and violated their HR still you are helping military Junta there
you violated whole Latin American citizen HR by imposing your financial might CONTD,,,

ronney Friday, 02 March 2012 06:09 PM

you helped Israel to suppress ANC of South Africa and Blacks via apartheid to extract their Diamonds and Platinum
What were you doing when Belgium violating with your help to kill millions of Congo civilians to get their minerals
What did you do to Indian Leaders who sent Indian Army to Sri lanka and violated Sri Lankan citizen HR
IT IS NOW HIGH TIME USA YOU HAVE TO PAY OFF OF ALL THOSE HR VIOLATIONS IN THE WORLD NOW YOU ARE SUFFERING FINANCIALLY BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE YOU WANT NOW DESTABILIZE ASIA GET OUT OF ASIA

Katmai Friday, 02 March 2012 05:04 PM

Great! You have found fault with the Americans.

Now, are you not interested in discussing the injustices that had been done in Sri Lanka?

outsider Saturday, 03 March 2012 12:19 AM

They have nothing in the brains other than frustrated thoughts to mess with other countries, or money from blood or arms or selling cianide capsuls to LTTE diasspora to put on SL kids when their dream come true (put SL back in war).

weerasuriya Saturday, 03 March 2012 12:24 AM

I can;t understant the US policy regarding human rights as they have create problems all over the world and killing innosent people and asking us to protect human rights in Srilanka. What action US take when killing innosent civil people by LTTE last three decads. No one talk or critisised Why double policy ?

kappa Saturday, 03 March 2012 01:10 AM

You mean about ending the 30 year war, where by ppl can walk freely? And no longer have to worry about ppl getting into busses with big backpacks? and having to stay in check points for a loooooooooong time etc? I think we don't have to talk about it. Cause SL is now normal as it can be in that perspective.

laxman Saturday, 03 March 2012 02:47 AM

you americans. leave this island for ourselves. why no human rights to the 1000's of sinhalese who died in the different bomb attacks in colombo and elsewhere. what the facts are you white people talking about.

Mario Perera Saturday, 03 March 2012 05:25 AM

Madame ,we Sri Lankans who live in this country value & appreciate the benefits that the ending of the war has brought us , on the other hand we are sick & tired of the double standards preached by the U S & its cronies at the behest of the L T T E remnants in their countries . . . .
Remember we Sri Lankans are a proud & resiliant people We ended the war on our own & we will implement a .reconciliation process also on our own ,with the participation of all stake holders ..

xlntgson Saturday, 03 March 2012 05:30 AM

Those killed by drones are all terrorists, no civilians and they are not humans, eh? Madam Otero!

yuri Saturday, 03 March 2012 06:28 AM

Before you ll comment, find of what really happen! nothing to compare Bahrain or Afghanistan.

Prasad Saturday, 03 March 2012 08:17 AM

You are not invited to address UN. Do you that UN is USA's property? Each & every nation have the equal writes.

Ananda Friday, 02 March 2012 11:52 AM

This is so funny, to say the least. US is the biggest human rights violator in the World and this lady is talking through her delicate hat.

Lionel Friday, 02 March 2012 11:18 AM

Very True Madam. Congrats for the truth spoken.

Bando Friday, 02 March 2012 11:32 AM

I beg your pardon ................?????

Mahesh Friday, 02 March 2012 11:21 AM

What about Guratanamo Bay? water boarding? torturing detainees? Afgan civilians? Iraq civilians? Bahrain citizens? Don't they have human rights? Are they not human?

Bobby Friday, 02 March 2012 11:35 AM

Good luck, we have beter friends than you madam,
India, all Mulsim countires, all african countiress, and other coutnires agisinst you are our firends.Who cares about human rights. Third world counties demcracy is expoertedby Indian and Britain

Ben Hurling Friday, 02 March 2012 11:36 AM

Dear Ms. Otero

While time may be slipping away in Sri Lanka, here are a few thoughts for you to ponder:

1. Cold blooded murders of Osama Bin Laden and his family including innocent little girls while Obama & Clinton were watching it live online. No criminal justice. No respect for Pakistan's borders.

2. When will you move a resolution at UNHRC to put Bush and Blair in the dock for the slaughter of civilians in Iraq? About 500 000 dead, according to Iraq Body Count. That war was illeagal, by the way.

3. When will you move a resolution against unrelenting crimes towards poverty stricken, helpless Palestinans over 60 years by Israel?

Please inform Mr. Robert Blake, UNHRC is a great opportunity for USA to inform Sri Lanka what it intends to do about above mentioned, grave matters.

We Sri Lankans look forward to working with our American friends co-operatively.

Please note time is slipping away.

WarElephant Friday, 02 March 2012 11:38 AM

go reconcile with the taliban... what nonsense!!!

Nodrog Friday, 02 March 2012 11:42 AM

The US should first take some of their own advise instead of preaching to others.

Patta Pal Friday, 02 March 2012 11:56 AM

Sri Lanka should have said the same thing instead of making a long verbose silly statement lasting 35 minutes, when the time allotted was just 10!

Damsen Friday, 02 March 2012 10:59 AM

But it seems that your "Human rights have universal application" not valid for powerful western countries including USA.

Nodrog Friday, 02 March 2012 11:53 AM

But time stands still for the US!

mohandev Friday, 02 March 2012 12:13 PM

your slip is showing lady, first cover your nakedness & war mongering brutality against innocent people of the world to sell your arms & hunger for world domination

Abdul Friday, 02 March 2012 12:27 PM

sri lanka russia and china should put a committee to investigate about us war crimes and human rights violations

Kondebendapucheena Friday, 02 March 2012 12:42 PM

Mrs. Otero Who cares what you thinks We Sri Lankans doesn't feel like what you thinks so mind your own business

hello Friday, 02 March 2012 03:06 PM

Because you (US) do bad things we (SL) can do bad things too!

Prasad Friday, 02 March 2012 03:21 PM

Very funny. Do you think we are Bulls?

nikita perera Friday, 02 March 2012 03:27 PM

yes great ideas thanx for publishing these

Angi Friday, 02 March 2012 03:43 PM

Thanks for your speech,
But what about Baharain? saudi arabian forces used armored vehicles to kill innocent civilians, No Justice, NO freedom
Because your country help them.

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Time is slipping away for SL-US

Comments - 36

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