UN rights body divided over SL issue-Envoy

23 March 2014 02:35 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka today claimed there was a "division" among members of the UNHRC over a US-backed resolution and termed it a victory for the country.

Sri Lankan President's Human Rights Envoy and Minister MahindaSamarasinghe, who returned to Colombo after addressing regional groups of the UN Human Rights Council, said the 47-member rights body stands divided over the resolution coming up later this month.

"We can clearly see a division among members. This itself I view as a triumph for us. This was because we could convince some of them with our progress achieved since the war ended," he said.

Samarasinghe said most of the member nations are clamped by the US pressure to vote in favour of the resolution.

"We cannot see an environment where they could make an independent decision at the UNHRC. Most countries are under political pressures".

Sri Lanka made its opposition clear, he said, as the US resolution would create a bad precedent.

"It will be another country tomorrow after Sri Lanka", Samarasinghe said.

"If this was allowed making it possible for the UN Human Rights Commissioner to set up an international inquiry, it will be carried out without any kind of fairness", he said.

The US-moved resolution is being dubbed by the government as action to try Rajapaksa in the international criminal court for alleged war crimes.

Sri Lanka is facing its third UN Human Rights Council resolution in three years, censuring the country on its lack of progress on human rights accountability and reconciliation with its Tamil minority after the civil war ended with the defeat of the LTTE in May, 2009.

Previously, two such resolutions were backed by India. (PTI)

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Comments - 8

Faro Sunday, 23 March 2014 08:17 PM

It is unfortunate that we couldnt make use of the division. If we had personality like Kadirgamar to handle this issue things would have been totaly different altogether. via DM Android App

bandara Sunday, 23 March 2014 03:16 PM

Stupid action by the USA. it in fact strengthen the hands of sri lankan president with more votes and future sri lankan presidents will also be made to pre occupy this madness.

Nelson Sunday, 23 March 2014 03:18 PM

This is the price we pay for China. Just to keep India happy the US is doing this.

ICC Sunday, 23 March 2014 03:25 PM

YES , DIVIDED . 4 | 40

Sathasivam Sunday, 23 March 2014 03:43 PM

India would love to have us a colony with Tamil nadu support.
Its time we treated India as an antagonist and not as a friend.
Their ulterior motive is to control us and destabilize the country .
It time we treated India for what it is and not pander to them who stab us in the back at every opportunity.

Vic Sunday, 23 March 2014 03:54 PM

Another country will be thinking twice before committing any Human Rights violation in future.

Diplomut Sunday, 23 March 2014 09:27 PM

Mr. Minister, come to the point straight away. There is a division no doubt. We know about it. The question is, is the vote going to be in our favour? We need a simple answer. via DM iPad app

Azee Monday, 24 March 2014 10:35 AM

How can Samarasinghe after a foreign jaunt say anything negative ? via DM Android App

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UN rights body divided over SL issue-Envoy

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