SL to protest against taking up Darusman report - External Affairs Minister

The Government of Sri Lanka will protest strongly against the taking up of the Darusman report at the United Nations Human Rights Council both in Geneva and the General Assembly in New York next week, External Affairs Minister G. L. Peiris said.

“We will protest the taking up of this report at the UNHRC sessions strongly, in Geneva and when President Mahinda Rajapaksa and I visit New York next week for the General Assembly,” Prof. Peiris said.

The Lankan delegation to New York will also address the issues of the impartiality of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay and breach of procedure in presenting documents not sanctioned by the UN at the UNHRC sessions. “During our bi-lateral meetings on the fringes of the General Assembly we will address these issues and call for even handed treatment to Sri Lanka in accordance with the formal procedures of the UN,” he said. UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon on Monday sent the report prepared by his Panel of experts to the UN Human Rights Council.

Minister Peiris told the occurrences that led to the surprise revelation, by a third party that the report by the Secretary General’s panel would be presented at the UNHRC sessions.

A meeting had taken place on Friday 9th morning between Human Rights Council President Laura Deputy Lasserre and the Lankan delegation. (www.colombopage.com)