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Last Updated : 2024-05-11 03:39:00
5 October 2022 10:46 pm - 35 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka will get “significantly lesser” number of favourable votes at the UN Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Wednesday said, apparently resigned to reduced international support at the Geneva forum whose 51 st session is underway.
“The number of votes will be significantly lesser. We have to be realistic,” Sabry, currently in Geneva, told a media conference held virtually. Observing that the voting pattern “is not a fair reflection” of how all members think about Sri Lanka, he said “heavy lobbying” by powerful countries preceded the vote at the Council, which was “all geopolitics”.
The Minister’s position signalled a shift in Colombo’s tone from a month ago, when Sabry said Sri Lanka was “not interested in confrontation, we want to work towards consensus with all partners”.
A resolution on Sri Lanka will be put to vote likely on Thursday, highlighting long-pending demands for truth and justice for alleged war crimes from the civil war era and the years after it ended in 2009, apart from other rights violations since, the Hindu reported.
The proposed resolution this year also underscores the importance of addressing “underlying governance factors and root causes” that have “contributed to” Sri Lanka’s unprecedented economic crisis. It identifies “deepening militarisation, lack of accountability in governance and impunity for serious human rights violations and abuses”, as a central obstacle to the rule of law, reconciliation and sustainable peace and development in Sri Lanka. Further, it “recognises that the promotion and protection of human rights and the prevention of and fight against corruption are mutually reinforcing.”
In March 2021, Sri Lanka faced a UN resolution that was put to vote in Geneva. While 22 countries voted in its favour, 11 countries voted against it — endorsing Sri Lanka’s position — and 14 countries, including India, abstained. While it is widely expected that India may abstain yet again, more countries among the Council’s 47 members are likely to proactively back the resolution.
Contending that the Council was “polarised”, Minister Sabry said the international community, mainly the West that includes key economic powers, were “using Sri Lanka to test their agenda”. “Sri Lanka has repeatedly said we need time and space to address pending issues, but the Core Group is not willing to listen,” he said, referring to the group of countries led by the United Kingdom that are the main sponsors of the Sri Lanka resolution this year. The Group includes the United States, Germany, and Canada among others. Some 30 other countries are said to have joined the Core Group, backing the resolution.
Outlining the government’s efforts to repeal the country’s much criticised anti-terrorism law, and introduce a new one; bring about constitutional amendments to strengthen parliamentary mechanisms and redistribute 94 per cent of military-held lands in the north and east, Sabry said “none of it is credited” by the international community, even as he argued that some recommendations of the resolution sought to interfere with Sri Lanka’s Constitution.
Asked why the Sri Lankan government, which is willingly working with international actors including the International Monetary Fund — that makes its support conditional on several governance aspects — for economic recovery resisted foreign mechanisms on the rights front, Sabry said: “That is because Sri Lanka is a member of the IMF, we opted for IMF assistance, and we are part of the negotiations …it is not imposed on us,” although Sri Lanka has been a Member State of the UN since 1955, engaging with its mechanisms and agencies.
Kikazaru Wednesday, 05 October 2022 10:58 PM
Not surprised. The developed and civilised world is does not approve how Sri Lanka is governed.
Gb Wednesday, 05 October 2022 11:06 PM
Hope they put sanctions on all the corrupt politicians, bar them from entry into any democratic country, seize properties and money they own in other countries, put sanctions on their whole families, only way to make them learn, bunch of demons ruling sl, no brains just greed, and sabry a corrupt lawyer, in most countries he would of been disbarred but here sl is a paradise for parasites
Nihal S Wednesday, 05 October 2022 11:17 PM
I do not think Sri Lankan government can keep playing for ever. The current situation in country is clear evidence to the country's human rights records. Work with the UN and close this matter for ever - we do not have the same power
Learn to bow down to Justice Wednesday, 05 October 2022 11:22 PM
You cannot simply keep on cheating the world for ever. Truth will surface sooner or later. The time has now come that your promises are only promises and nothing more.
Kps Thursday, 06 October 2022 01:20 AM
Your heart knows the truth. Your defense is politically biased. Open your eyes and just read some news papers just about everyday to find out the actual situation
Coo Mawatha Thursday, 06 October 2022 01:29 AM
And why is that Mr. Sabry? Is that because you are incompetent? Or is that because world is catching up to the hogwash and gibberish Sri Lanka has been weaving over the past decade? Ever occur to you and your masters that as a nation we, Sri Lanka, are better by mending our ways to be fully accepted by the international community? Treat our minority communities as equal and step in to a progressive future? And send to Hague the war criminals whom we are harboring amongst our midst? After all these war criminals have gotten fabulously rich thieving our money and murdering those who dared to expose their thieving. They murdered not 1, 2 or 3….they murdered 34 journalists!
LAN Thursday, 06 October 2022 01:58 AM
What crimes people have done in Sri Lanka to be punished like this ?...this is utter political failure and yet why these politicians are greedy for power..out of this 134 many will go home next time in the election
Punchi Thursday, 06 October 2022 03:28 AM
The Foreign Minister should explain that our Human Rights has been applauded by our monks who have conferred titles on so called mistakenly accused violators therefore this supersedes the UN. Also when we have like minded countries like North Korea, Venezuela, Iran, China, Russia etc as our friends at the UN we don’t need US, Canada, Europe etc
L Jaya Thursday, 06 October 2022 04:42 AM
“Sri Lanka has repeatedly said we need time and space to address pending issues, but the Core Group is not willing to listen,” This is the same old weapon used over many years asking time and space. The disagreement by majority is justified because only assurances and promises.
Allen Selwyn Thursday, 06 October 2022 05:01 AM
Why is this a surprise? Sinhalese have been inward looking since independence. They created the '2500 year Sinhala Buddhist' myth whilst looting the treasury and bashing the minorities. It is a case of 'emperors clothes' ! Now they are being found out. They are bankrupt with no credibility with only the begging bowl at hand. Well done.
Senaka Karaliyadda Thursday, 06 October 2022 05:15 AM
Sabry is an absolute narcissist who does not have a clue about international affairs. After all he was instrumental in getting a murderer president, and won so many cases of the murderer due to the greed. Sabry comes from a very poor family, and now he has forgotten his roots, but happy to profit from privileges of the countries population. These kind of politicians, should not enter parliament. People didn’t vote for Sabry, he came through the national list, and now commenting like he is not corrupted and the Srilankan way is perfect, one question… tell me one government that looked after the best interest of our country? What was the worst? Reality check: please go home, people don’t like you at all.
Mahila Thursday, 06 October 2022 05:17 AM
Great Piece of NEWS delivered by Minister, which none of us knew or expected until disclosed by the Honourable self!!?? Why are we spending valuable foreign exchange in a MELODRAMA, exhibiting “How not to count Votes?” and first of all the stretch and width of the UNHRC Mandate – e.g. that economic frauds leading to county’s economic collapse is included as one investigative aspect!?? Providing excursions for the high and mighty elected by 6.9 million!!?? Not worth the effort??
Punchi Thursday, 06 October 2022 06:42 AM
Our internal mechanisms which we have not seen any evidence is akin to a man saying that within my household I can ill treat or kill my wife and children and it is none of anybody’s business. Our country is begging everyone saying our starving people ‘internal business’ is your business. The Hindu which has been pro Shinhala to write on this contradiction is revealing and possibly a harbinger of things to come. Good one Mr Sabry maybe one day someone will pay good money for your unused brain
Citizen Z Thursday, 06 October 2022 06:49 AM
So peaceful protesting means allowing all those protesters including thugs from streets, communists and socialist destructive forces, running riots and occupy important buildings, offices and parliament and burning houses etc! What a joke UNHCR!
Curious Thursday, 06 October 2022 06:53 AM
The west are Aryans. So we are. Shouldn't that factor work in our favour.
Sunil Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:01 AM
Serves Sri Lanka right. This horrendous regime is only interested in ruling by terror, suppressing all human rights. Heap more and more restrictions and bring the perpetrators of these atrocities to an international tribune. Sri Lanka will have to face the bitter truth one day.
Gama Rala Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:09 AM
No surprise, the Rajapaksa housemaid a.k.a Ranil, has violated the rights of his enemy , the people of SriLanka.
DOT Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:10 AM
But Hon. Minister, you are doing a great duty. We highly appreciate.
Samson de silva Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:15 AM
So, this is your big achievement, Ali Sabry! You fly in luxury around the world, spending our money, making ludicrous statements to make more people turn against Sri Lanka. Every time you open your mouth at these meetings, Sri Lanka loses votes. Big failure as justice minister. Even a worse failure as foreign minister!
Premalal Perera Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:44 AM
Well, Mr. Minister you had plenty of time and plenty of space already to address and redress what you politicians have put this country through. In fact you had 74 years of time, unbridled power of space and what did you do?
Sokrates Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:44 AM
The war is 13 years over. Nothing was processed. Wake up you stupid politicians. Stop protecting your arsehole war criminals. Unlike Sri Lanka, where people quickly forget, the UN never forgets. HUMAN RIGHTS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE.
larjaya@gmail.com Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:46 AM
We reap what you people sow. They are right.
Don Thursday, 06 October 2022 07:50 AM
Stop talking BS. There is no need any lobbying by other countries. Only need to open their eyes to see what is going on and ask general public simple questions. What you are telling out votes is known to all already. You pretend predicting as if you would get more votes if the other countries know the truth. They know the truth. Ready for their sanctions assault. Go for a election and get completely a new set from none political background to parliament.
Don Thursday, 06 October 2022 08:08 AM
Vajira Abeywardane said other countries are scared of your boss Ranil. So.. don't worry. They are trembling now and ready to give you all votes other than the countries sponsored this. Can you stand up please? I want to see whether you are wearing anything. You are a professional prostitute.
Terrence Thursday, 06 October 2022 08:59 AM
Adopt the same technique like last time where the abstentions were also counted to show that the country was able to mobilize more votes and be a laughing stock to the world
Vive James Thursday, 06 October 2022 09:00 AM
Come one Suren, How many more years you need ? 13 years have lapsed without starting ??? Just wait for another 6 months you will become a Country like no other. People may leave to Sudan or Somalia.
rbh Thursday, 06 October 2022 09:01 AM
As youll have worked the way that Everything you do, everything you say, every choice you make, sooner or later comes back around, achieve less favourable from the world.
sas Thursday, 06 October 2022 09:02 AM
Good, you have understood the ground situation at last. This government and the previous Gota government do not have friends. Ranil will come to his senses soon.
ajith Thursday, 06 October 2022 09:17 AM
Thank your erstwhile boss for bringing SL to this pathetic situation
BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 06 October 2022 09:21 AM
Everybody knows that other than you and majority fools in this nation. You cannot go to the UN and promise and bargain like a three wheel driver does with his finance company, which is the manner it has been done right through out. There is a point when "enough is enough".
Seqi Thursday, 06 October 2022 10:22 AM
But still the USA and UK won't surrender the war criminals ex-President Bush jnr and ex-Prime Minister Blair to the International Criminal Court to answer for their War Crimes in Iraq.
Aram Thursday, 06 October 2022 10:51 AM
This time India will vote in favour of motion in Geneva
Sri Wickrema Thursday, 06 October 2022 12:37 PM
Hello Mr Sabri if you are pretty certain that the resolution will go ahead smoothly why are you still there wasting our precious forex? Come home, man!
Anthony. R Thursday, 06 October 2022 12:46 PM
Why be Surprised, all knew what's coming, sending some one like Sabri is utter waste,he is Good only saving Murderers, Rouges, and criminals,a racist and Not a Diplomat.
Gayantha Hemachandra Thursday, 06 October 2022 01:56 PM
Machang Ali, don’t worry too much… Civilised countries won’t support a country like Sri Lanka in which the government elected by the people, are violating the very peoples human rights and looting everything from them…. This is a country which has a government being run by barbaric corrupted thieves….
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