US concerned over attempts to impeach CJ

1 November 2012 06:51 pm - 37 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While expressing concern over the move to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the United States today highlighted the necessity of strengthening judicial independence by ending government interference with the judicial process.

Speaking during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, US Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said, “Especially in light of today’s news of the efforts to impeach the Chief Justice, the US recommended strengthening judicial independence by ending government interference with the judicial process, protecting members of the judiciary from attacks, and restoring a fair, independent and transparent mechanism to oversee judicial appointments.”

The full speech

The United States welcomes Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of H.E. The President on Human Rights and the Sri Lankan delegation to the UPR Working Group.

We note steps taken by the government of Sri Lanka to resettle IDPs, foster economic growth, improve infrastructure, and develop a National Action Plan for implementing a number of recommendations of the LLRC.”

“We remain concerned by the consolidation of executive power, including the passage of the 18th amendment, and that no agreement has been reached on political devolution. Former conflict zones remain militarized, and the military continues to encroach upon daily civilian and economic affairs. The Ministry of Defense has controlled the NGO secretariat since 2010.”

Serious human rights violations continue, including disappearances, torture, extra-judicial killings, and threats to freedom of expression. Opposition figures have been harassed, detained, and prosecuted. There have been no credible investigations or prosecutions for attacks on journalists and media outlets. In the past 30 days, a judge who questioned executive interference in the judiciary was severely beaten in broad daylight by multiple assailants and derogatory posters appeared in Colombo threatening the director of an NGO challenging a government bill that would weaken provincial councils. No arrests have been made.

Bearing in mind these concerns, the United States makes the following recommendations:
1)   Implement the constructive recommendations of the LLRC, including the removal of the military from civilian functions; creation of mechanisms to address cases of the missing and detained; issuance of death certificates; land reform; devolution of power; and disarming paramilitaries.
2)   Transfer NGO oversight to a civilian institution and protect freedom of expression and space for civil society to operate, by inter alia investigating and prosecuting attacks on media personnel and human rights defenders.
3)   End impunity for human rights violations and fulfill legal obligations regarding accountability by initiating independent and transparent investigations, which meet international best practices, into alleged violations of international law and hold those found culpable to account.
4)   Especially in light of today’s news of the efforts to impeach the Chief Justice, strengthen judicial independence by ending government interference with the judicial process, protecting members of the judiciary from attacks, and restoring a fair, independent, and transparent mechanism to oversee judicial appointments.

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Comments - 37

Die Agent Friday, 02 November 2012 07:09 AM

Ok now US has raised concerns so now we should immediately give up the impeachment and restore the CJ.
"Phuu aney mage kata"

UP Friday, 02 November 2012 03:33 AM

Are we receiving any comment from our friend China on this impeachment issue ?

Ahmad Friday, 02 November 2012 03:43 AM

Govt has complicated everything by internationalizing internal issues.

Mario Friday, 02 November 2012 03:52 AM

Hey US. dont you guys appoint your own Chief Justices according to the presidents political idealogies as well? Eg: liberal president, liberal appointment of CJ's. and you can take down anyone you want as well.

Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 02 November 2012 04:19 AM

In spite of what the government media crowed about ad nauseum, there are more negative points than positive on Sri Lanka's situation. This government seems to be unstoppable in its plans to destroy everything that stands opposed to it including the independent judiciary. It is high time some action is taken to stop this menace by some international authority.

Al Rasa Friday, 02 November 2012 05:10 AM

US is always concerned of Sri Lanka especially the govt's action against top rankers.

bandara Friday, 02 November 2012 05:33 AM

this and all other similar menaces were the ones that the international community has always opposed, and "patriotic" citizens have taken objection citing interference in internal affairs. Now that that it hurts you and the majority, you want "some action is taken to stop this menace by some international authority."

Kondebandapuchhena Friday, 02 November 2012 06:41 AM

Crocodile Tears

Leslie Friday, 02 November 2012 06:45 AM

The US has not right to meddle with our internal affairs., who they hell do they think they are. Sri Lanka is not a state coming the devils flag!!! Leave us alone.
I see pathetic comments from most of the apple polishers, what sort citizens are we.

gonsal Friday, 02 November 2012 06:51 AM

Sri Lanka is a independent country. It's Government has the right to anything it want. USA first do something to Siriya. There dying hundreds daily.

kris Friday, 02 November 2012 03:12 AM

NATO. Wait until the last civilian is also attacked to take action to support civilians. World super powers are also week against family super power. Wait and see none of these will be implemented and world super powers play their role of NATO.

Kusu Kusu Kusuma Friday, 02 November 2012 08:20 AM

This CJ was a political appointee. Thats why her love affair with the brothers did not last long. At the beginning she also did a nice kolam dance to please them.

Hemantha Friday, 02 November 2012 09:55 AM

End of the independence of the judiciary means, end of all fundamental rights and human rights of all citizens, at least other countries have realized the danger. It is not an attack on an individual or the judiciary; it is an attack on all citizens living in this country. Grave situation for the democracy and existence of a nation

Lankalion Friday, 02 November 2012 10:24 AM

Don't be so arrogant Matara. We Sri Lankans have shown very well how we have been looking after our own affairs! We are a miserable failure in protecting our own kind! When we as a nation can't do our job probably, we have to take as much advice and support as we can from others.

The Sri Lankan Government has brainwashed most of us to think that any good advice coming from outside is an interference into our sovereignty. Remember - sovereignty lies in the people - you and me - not in the parliamentarians and president. The Government has hoodwinked us so they can continue their march against us!

USA - please continue to advise us and take action against out despots!

After all, we are not people divided by nations. We are all humans and entitled to the same aspirations and dignity.

Lankalion Friday, 02 November 2012 10:26 AM

Leslie don't be a fool! What have you done to protect the rights of Sri Lankan citizens and our dignity?! Be grateful there are non Sri Lankans that care about us!

sinha Friday, 02 November 2012 10:35 AM

bye shirani

anthare pora Friday, 02 November 2012 11:22 AM

No No they are our GOD and saviors. Hell

anthare pora Friday, 02 November 2012 11:23 AM

Why injustice. They have breached the code of ethics

anthare pora Friday, 02 November 2012 11:24 AM

Yes ane please advice us....USA, Obama

game kolla Friday, 02 November 2012 12:08 AM

its glad at least US is concerned over injustice in this country. pls pls save us from the king of the hell

mike Thursday, 01 November 2012 07:25 PM

US. have passed a law to keep a person in detention,for indefinite time for the sake of security of the country.This law will superseeds laws regarding the human rights laws and generel law of the nation.No one in UN point fingers against the laws of other nations,as all have the same problem with the laws of their countries.No one could question about the persons taken into custody according to that law.We as a indipendent and democratically elected country,selected by it's own people with a vast majority has the right to make a impeachment motion against it's chief justice if they wish as things goes against the law of the nation.The motivation in passing such a motion,might be a behaviour of the said CJ's husband who held an esteem position of a leading bank who tried to invest the money of it's depositers in a failing instution with his own discretion.

greek Thursday, 01 November 2012 08:04 PM

teach these animal how to treat humans !

Rf Thursday, 01 November 2012 08:29 PM

It's very important that all nations must push this bankrupt government to stop this process of impreching the CJ. This government thinks winning the war is sufficient to do what ever they want and the saddest part is that most of the countrymen continue to listen to all these nonsense... God bless Sri Lanka...

greek Thursday, 01 November 2012 09:26 PM

we are in trouble water... please save us from pirates .. Sri Lankan !

Matara Kolla Thursday, 01 November 2012 10:43 PM

Most Sri Lankans do not want to see the impeachment go ahead which is highly injust, however US, can we please look after our own affairs! Thank you.

sl Friday, 02 November 2012 12:00 AM

Good move anyway. via DM Android App

saman Thursday, 01 November 2012 11:55 PM

When will the US stop interfering the business of other countries? Why not they talk about the rights of the humans who are currently being held in the Guantanamo Bay camp without charge for years and the psychological and physical abuse coursed to the inmates under US captivity? Why not they talk about the deaths of well over 100,000 civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq according to Wik-Leaks? Why don't US talk about their relentless pursuit of Julian Assange? Cheeeee disgraceful!!!!!

dont insult us Friday, 02 November 2012 12:00 AM

UNP the main opposition is in deep sleep, while we find an outsider the USA coming for the rescue of the SL judiciary.

Mims Thursday, 01 November 2012 07:10 PM

Of course, now the Rajapaksa regime and their supporters will attack the US, like they always do.

Mr.Plod Friday, 02 November 2012 12:29 AM

The world is an open book today thanks to the Internet and satellite imaging. Not easy to hide.

Rukmal Friday, 02 November 2012 01:02 AM

USA,Please intervene....Ordinary SL citizen has no where to seek justice now.

Janaki Kalansuriya Friday, 02 November 2012 01:14 AM

ENTER - WIMAL WEERAWANSA.

Political Illiterate Friday, 02 November 2012 02:19 AM

Parliament though populated with people with no Doctorate or PhD's save a dozen of them, is supreme as elected representatives of the people of Sri Lanka and no one should try to usurp that position, even if the have spent 2 dozen years studying Law and teaching that profession. How about appointed/national list MP's voting for the impeachment? they were not elected by sovereign people?

Fair N Square Friday, 02 November 2012 02:24 AM

ON what grounds did ya'll issue a visa to Malaka? In ur visa application there are many places he LIED, it's COMMON KNOWLEDGE..... Still NOT too late to revoke the visa that was already issued. Further ya'll have double standards. Ya'll supply arms to the" rebels" against LEGALLY elected governments, when u do NOT like the leaders of these countries and seek "regime change" HOW democratic is That? and this results in heavy losses of life and finance.. and here you are playing " Mr. nice guy" please.........

Bush AYYA Friday, 02 November 2012 02:37 AM

this is the time for a peoples revelution

Thomas Ranger Friday, 02 November 2012 03:08 AM

To All Americans concerned. Please do not waste your time and effort with this pariah state. We Sri Lankans are a breed unto ourselves. We are 'siyal dath' - we know all, we are a supreme race. Do your thing to a country like Haiti - you can at least hear some gratitude.

meranchi Friday, 02 November 2012 03:10 AM

where is so call Janissary feedam in sri lanka........i

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US concerned over attempts to impeach CJ

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