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SL denies intimidating UN workers
14 November 2012 08:45 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka on Wednesday denied allegations in a leaked United Nations report that it had intimidated UN humanitarian workers during the final stages of the country's Tamil separatist war.“We consulted with the UN and there was no intimidation of UN officials. How can you intimidate the UN, the USA, Japan or any other country? These are sovereign entities,” the President’s Special Envoy for Human Rights and Minister of Plantation Industries Mahinda Samarasinghe said. Although he refused to comment on the report, prior to its official release, he made the statement in response to a question raised by the media on the alleged intimidation by the government towards UN officials.
The draft report states that officials chose “not to speak up” about violations of international law by the government and the LTTE in order to “increase UN humanitarian access”. There are also suggestions that the UN, under pressure from the Sri Lankan government did not make public the deaths caused by government shelling. The report concludes that the “events in Sri Lanka mark a grave failure of the UN”.
Minister Samarasinghe informing the press about he recently concluded United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review on Sri Lanka stated that a number of countries that had voted against Sri Lanka during the sessions held in March, had appreciated the efforts taken towards promoting human rights in the country, during their introductory remarks.
“Many of the countries that voted against Sri Lanka at the last session appreciated the efforts of the government towards promoting human rights. Austria, Belgium, Benin, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Poland and Romania, were some of the countries that made comments and thereafter made their recommendations for improvement. However no country gave us an open ticket they said there was more that we needed to do to,” he said.
He further stated that 110 of the 210 recommendations made by the countries at the UPR had been accepted by Sri Lanka. However he noted that he could not give any assurances with legislation relating to witness protection, since this was yet to be passed by the parliament.
“We only accepted recommendations that were positive towards Sri Lanka and rejected those that did not fall in line wit the government’s agenda,” he said. (DS)
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Comments - 15
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Niv Wednesday, 14 November 2012 09:29 AM
What you agreed so far other than denying everything?
DeSelva Wednesday, 14 November 2012 09:32 AM
The report was a leaked report. By reacting to a leaked report you are shooting yourself in the foot.
However do remember the Carry On Series of movies
"Carry on denying....." is filmed in Sri Lankakumar Wednesday, 14 November 2012 09:39 AM
Denial as usual!.
david Wednesday, 14 November 2012 09:46 AM
How long you can deny all alegations. Truth will prevail sooner than later.
Esala Wednesday, 14 November 2012 10:16 AM
Why not we agreed we killed LTTE leader Prabakaran and his follows as many as we can. Still some left can see in future.
Wimal Weera Wednesday, 14 November 2012 10:20 AM
India believes what Sri Lanka would say. See below they even build houses for TAMIL people.
unchikun Wednesday, 14 November 2012 10:23 AM
Not only UN workers, but Sri Lanka government intimidate even the Chief Justice .
Dalu Banda Wednesday, 14 November 2012 10:33 AM
But David,one thing is sure that the dead Prabhakaran will newer come back.
nadi Wednesday, 14 November 2012 02:00 PM
Nobody believes us except the Chinese, Iranians and Cubans - you know the Human Rights specialists.
Naman Wednesday, 14 November 2012 07:22 PM
South Koreans, Zimbabweans,Russians, North Koreans too support the GoSL.
Yuri Wednesday, 14 November 2012 08:14 PM
That final was done India in the name of Sri Lanka, any question has to go to India not to Sri Lankan, Now what is sri lankan doing is Grave Yard dance....
jacoob Wednesday, 14 November 2012 10:40 PM
Why did you leave the big clown : INDIA
Jaydon Thursday, 15 November 2012 12:03 AM
It's high time that this stupid government stop intimidating it's own people and public servents and rally them together as one nation to stand up against international pressure!!!! However, it's is very important that we investigate these allegations without simply denying, as usual!!!
Upul Thursday, 15 November 2012 12:23 AM
Do UN Workers stay on in the battle Zones of Afghanistan, Syria, Libya etc.? Or do they leave of their own accord?
Silva Thursday, 15 November 2012 11:37 AM
Dont talk shop Jaydon. You sound so stupid!!
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