Pillay proposes, Lanka disposes

Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Govt. slams High Commissioner for politicised, preconceived agendas
International inquiry not only warranted, it is possible, says Pillay
Resolution has no consent from country concerned, says SL Ambassador
“Witnesses ready to come forward”: High Commissioner
US flags sexual violence, militarisation and attacks on religious minorities
Cuba, Russia, Pakistan, China mount strong support for Lanka at UNHRC

By Dharisha Bastians UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay and the Government locked horns in Geneva yesterday, after the senior official pushed hard for an international investigation into alleged atrocities committed during the war in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva Ravinatha Aryasinha told the UN Human Rights Council that High Commissioner Pillay’s report that was orally presented yesterday reflected a “preconceived, politicised and prejudicial agenda which has been relentlessly pursued with regard to Sri Lanka”. Pointing to the fact that High Commissioner Pillay had exceeded her mandate, Aryasinha said the Government delegation was “surprised by the numerous errors and misperceptions contained in the draft report on Sri Lanka”. “This was despite the High Commissioner and her team having undertaken a comprehensive, week-long visit to Sri Lanka during which time they were provided with unfettered access to study firsthand the situation on the ground,” the Sri Lankan envoy said. Expressing “deep concern” at such glaringly erroneous information in a report of this nature, he said, “one would have expected the OHCHR to have undertaken a more stringent scrutiny of facts”.

Introducing her report to the Council, Pillay said it was important for the Human Rights Council to recall the magnitude and gravity of the violations alleged to have been committed by the Government and the LTTE during the last phase of the war, which had left thousands of civilians killed, injured or missing. “Failure to address the grief and trauma among victims and survivors undermines confidence in the State and reconciliation,” the High Commissioner said. Pillay said that an international inquiry was “not only warranted but also possible”. New evidence continues to emerge, the UN Rights Chief said, adding that witnesses were willing to come forward to testify before international mechanisms in which they have confidence and which can guarantee their protection. She also flagged the arrest and detention of two prominent Sri Lankan rights activists last week, saying her Office was “disturbed” by the harassment and intimidation, even while the UNHRC session has been underway. “We welcome their release. We are, however, concerned at their continued surveillance and the restrictions under which they have been placed,” Pillay told the Council. The 47-member body will vote on a US-sponsored resolution today, which will seek to establish an international probe into allegations of major human rights abuses during Sri Lanka’s war from 2002-2009. Ambassador Aryasinha criticised the US resolutions at the UNHRC which he said had emanated from a politicised process and mandate, and without the consent of the country concerned. The US, UK and the countries of the European Union pushed hard for an international probe into alleged violations in Sri Lanka during the debate at the UNHRC yesterday. In one of the strongest statements before the UN Human Rights Council it has ever made about Sri Lanka, the US Government said Sri Lanka had made little progress in the implementation of many LLRC recommendations, including key recommendations relating to justice and accountability for serious violations of Sri Lankan and international law such as indiscriminate killings of civilians. “There is still much work to be done to ensure genuine reconciliation, justice, and accountability for alleged war crimes, as well as democratic governance and respect for human rights in Sri Lanka,” US Head of Delegation to the UN in Geneva Paula Schriefer told the Council. Representing the EU at the Council, the Greece Delegation noted the “shrinking space” for journalists and human rights defenders and the undermining of independent institutions, including the Judiciary in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was strongly backed during yesterday’s debate by Cuba, Russia, Pakistan, China, Vietnam, Sudan and Venezuela. The Cuba delegation denounced the OHCHR report presented by Pillay as being politicised and slammed double standards in the Council. China hailed the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to promote national reconciliation, while the delegation of the Russian Federation told the Council members that there had been no civilian deaths in Sri Lanka for four years.