Golden opportunity to find new co-sponsor: HR activist

22 June 2018 09:12 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka has the golden opportunity of finding a new co-sponsor and going in for an alternative and interim UN resolution as the US has pulled out from the UNHRC, said Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa, former Commissioner of Human Rights Commission.

Commenting on the latest development, Dr. Mahanamahewa said the US-Sri Lanka sponsored 2015 resolution in a nutshell says that Sri Lankan forces committed war crimes and therefore, a hybrid court should be established to investigate charges.

“However, the US says the UNHRC is of no use and like a cesspool. The US also accused the council of being biased and not protecting human rights of a country. We can embark on this statement. The UN resolution was adopted with the consent of the co-sponsors. If one party leaves, the other cannot stand alone. The council must now find a sponsor to fill the vacancy. The Sri Lankan President says the country has won over the hearts of the West as well as the East. We have a golden opportunity to fill the vacancy, preferably with an Asian country, and go ahead for an alternative and an interim resolution,” he told Daily Mirror.

He said there were a lot of other countries that support Sri Lanka like Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries.

"So you can pass a resolution co-sponsored by one of these countries in future with the assurance of how we are going to implement the resolution. For the last few years, we have not done anything to promote human rights. The things we did were not marketed properly. We have to market what we are doing,” Dr. Mahanamahewa said.

Meanwhile, he criticized US Ambassador Atul Keshap for his statement that the US would help Sri Lanka fulfil UN commitments.

“The Trump’s representative at UN made a very serious statement and left from the UNHRC. But US Ambassador is saying something different. He says they are helping Sri Lanka and the resolution is still in force. The ambassador is leaving Sri Lanka. UNHR Commissioner Zeid al-Hussein is also leaving now. We did a lot to please them but they are not concerned,” he said. (Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 14

yahiya Friday, 22 June 2018 09:18 AM

As human right activist what your duty focus

lkboy Friday, 22 June 2018 09:36 AM

They all took us/taking us on a ride.

JamesIngram Friday, 22 June 2018 09:37 AM

If common sense prevail Ideal opportunity to get out of UNHCR in toto. Why should we be part of "cesspool of political bias" ?

Lord Wolfstein Friday, 22 June 2018 09:47 AM

Nonsense. A UN resolution will not be invalidated simply because a co-sponsor has left the UNHRC. By the way, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries are serious human rights violators

Chari Friday, 22 June 2018 11:26 AM

Thank Trump for saving Sri Lanka. Obama and Hilary were heavily backed by the LTTE Groups in the US..

Stan Friday, 22 June 2018 11:35 AM

that's not how it works, commissioner. the resolution is still in force and will continue to do so even if all other co sponsors pull out.

DillonDP Friday, 22 June 2018 12:14 PM

Typical attidtude of ours, finding ways of temporarily cementing problems rather than finding a permanet solutions.

Waco Friday, 22 June 2018 12:39 PM

Move forward with China.

Sujeewa Friday, 22 June 2018 06:18 PM

Thanks Dr Mahanamahewa. We are confident that your excellent advice is not respected by the current "Jaraa Paalanaya". Let's wait for the day we have a sensible and patriotic government to do what you say.

MM Friday, 22 June 2018 09:00 PM

This person doctorate and his knowledge are Questionable. Resolution has already passed. He simple cannot understand basic principals of legislative law.

MM Friday, 22 June 2018 09:01 PM

This person doctorate and his knowledge are Questionable. Resolution has already passed. He simple cannot understand basic principals of legislative law.

MM Friday, 22 June 2018 09:01 PM

This person doctorate and his knowledge are Questionable. Resolution has already passed. He simple cannot understand basic principals of legislative law.

Gunasekera Friday, 22 June 2018 09:17 PM

Drop the resolution under consideration altogether and submit alternative with a credible another co-sponsor friendly and supportive.

NIHAL Saturday, 23 June 2018 11:49 AM

IF ONE LOOK OUT THE WORLD POLITICS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES,ALL COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD ARE HUMAN RIGHT VIOLATERS.YOU CANNOT TRUST ANY OF THESE COUNTRIES.THEY ALL HAVE HIDDEN AGENDAS.

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Golden opportunity to find new co-sponsor: HR activist

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