Expatriate Lankans urge UNHRC not to undermine domestic efforts of reconciliation

Wednesday, 26 March 2014 01:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A massive demonstration was held this afternoon at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters in Geneva with the participation of over 5,000 expatriate Sri Lankan community in Europe. This demonstration with unprecedented high participation was organised by the United Sri Lanka organisation based in Europe to protest against the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka. The demonstrators handed over a letter addressed to Michael Mǿller, Actg. Director General of the UN, Geneva and Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urging that Sri Lanka should be given adequate time and understanding to resolve her problems by herself without undue interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil diaspora. They asked the World Body not to undermine the domestic efforts of reconciliation.

Sri Lankans living in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands will take part regardless of political affiliation. Sri Lankans living in Australia and Canada also joined the demonstration. The petition submitted by the demonstrators pointed out that Sri Lanka has consistently interacted with the United Nations system and the wider international community in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation. “We expect reciprocity in the cooperation between the UN system and Sri Lanka in order to fulfil its international obligations and commitments to bring about sustainable peace and reconciliation to all Sri Lankans,” the Sri Lankan community stated. “We reiterate that Sri Lanka should be given adequate time and understanding to resolve her problems by herself without undue interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil diaspora.” Sri Lankans living in Europe, headed by Unity for the United Sri Lanka organised many protest marches throughout Europe in the run up to the Geneva sessions. The first protest by this group was held in London in front of the official residence of British Prime Minister David Cameron. When the protest in France was held on 19 March, the Tamil diaspora crowd, who hide behind the world’s ruthless terrorist outfit, tried to disrupt protest waving the banned organisations flag. French Police intervened and dispersed them. The protest in front of the Italian Parliament building lasted for more than two hours. The Italian Government provided police security for the protest march. The protesters handed over a letter addressed to the Prime Minister Giorgio Napolitano through a PM’s parliamentary staff member.