Resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC adopted

Resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC adopted

 Date:2012-03-22 15:10:00

4.08 P.M -  The resolution against Sri Lanka was adopted a short while ago with 24 votes in favor, 15 against and 8 abstentions.

Breakdown of votes
Against – Sri Lanka, China, Uganda, Indonesia, Maldives, Bangladesh, Cuba, Congo, Ecuador, Kuwait, Mauritania, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Thailand


Abstentions – Angola, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Senegal


Favour – United States, Mexico, India, Nigeria, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Cameroon, Chile, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Hungary, Italy, Libya, Mauritius, Norway, Peru, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay


Statements made at the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council when the resolution sponsored by the United States was taken up for debate today.

3.57 P.M - Phillipines
The delegation of Phillipines stated that technical assistance had been aimed at developing countries forcing them into submission and that it has been used as an instrument to pressurize these countries. The delegation voted against the resolution.

Thailand – The delegation of Thailand stated that Sri Lanka has shown strong commitment to reconciliation and sustainable development, while stating that Sri Lanka has demonstrated their commitment to the council. They voted against the resolution requesting Sri Lanka to implement LLRC recommendations without delay and share it’s progress with the council.

3.48 P.M – Uruguay
The delegation of Uruguay said that reconciliation efforts are carried out by the Sri Lankan government and that they recognize the value of work carried out by the Lessons learnt Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) while stating that the Sri Lankan govenrment’s willingness to comply with the recommendations of the LLRC is credible.

They also requested Sri Lanka continue to implement the recommendations while pledging their vote against the resolution. 

3.45 P.M. – Equador

The delegation of Equador stated that Sri Lanka has shown political willingness to improve the human rights situation. They also stated that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report recommendation has been made to investigate the human rights violations and that Sri Lanka should inform the results of the implementation of the recommendations to the UNHRC this year.  Stating the above facts, they voted against the resolution.

Russia
The delegation of Russia stated that reconciliation must be carried out by Sri Lankans and that interference is counterproductive. They also added that attempts to dictate a sovereign country is not acceptable. Russia voted against the resolution.

3. 30 P.M. - Cuba
The delegation of Cuba said that there is a double standard of play at the UNHRC with this draft resolution. Many other states who have faced prolonged conflicts had many time transitions in order to create better conditions for their people. Some of them are united now and the countries who support this draft resolution have been particularly involved in this regard.

The delegation further added that the allegations of terrorism are completely false in the resolution. While also adding that the resolution proposed by the European Union in 2003 on the Saddam Hussein regime had requested for international cooperation however, this resolution does not call for any international cooperation.

He further added that neither the indiscriminate bombing by NATO nor attacks by Israel have been addressed previously by the UNHRC and thus questioned the motives of this resolution.

The work done by the Sri Lankan representatives in alerting the council periodically on its efforts at reconciliation was also commended by Cuba.

He further noted that 40% of trade in arms in Sri Lanka was conducted with the UK, USA and Israel.

While the Sri Lankan government was committed to reconciliation, he also noted that Sri Lanka has been influenced by Colonial powers because of its strategic location. The delegate of Cuba also encouraged the house to avoid politicization and work towards cooperation.

3.20 P.M. - Sri Lanka
President’s special human rights envoy Mahinda Samarasinghe speaking at the UNHRC session stated that Sri Lanka should be given time and space to continue the process of reconciliation and that a reasonable time period should be allocated for the implementation of LLRC recommendations.

Emphasizing the necessity of voting against the resolution he said that if such a resolution is accepted it will affect the sovereignty of the country and that reconciliation process will not be free of intervention.

3.10 P.M. - Cuba
Cuban delegate speaking at the 19th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) put forward a proposition to the co-sponsors of the resolution on Sri Lanka to postpone the matter till September.

The United States in reply to the Cuban delegate stated that the resolution should be taken up and not be postponed, as it was a straightforward resolution calling on the implementation of the LLRC.

(Ceylon Today Online)

Sri Lanka caves in and abandons defiant stance at UNHRC - D.B.S. Jeyaraj

Facing defeat in Geneva Sri Lanka caves in and abandons defiant stance at UNHRC

21 March 2012, 10:40 pm
by D.B.S. Jeyaraj
In a dramatic reversal, Sri Lanka has abandoned its earlier strategy of adopting a principled
position and has now compromised its stance towards the draft resolution tabled by the United
States of America regarding the Island nation at the 19th session of the United Nations Human
Rights Council (UNHRC)in Geneva.

Sri Lanka under the leadership and direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been refusing to
compromise in any way with the USA on this matter and has instead been lobbying strenuously on
the basis of important principles among the 47 member states of the UNHRC.

President Rajapaksa has given clear instructions to senior officials at Sri Lankas ministry of
External Affairs that the Country should adopt a principled position and resist the US action
rather than cave into American diktat by compromising.

“It does not matter even if we lose but we must go down fighting” the President has reportedly
stated.

President Rajapaksa had maintained this stance even after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
announced in the Indian Parliament that India was “inclined to vote in favour of A resolution on
Sri Lanka”.

There was consternation among official circles in Sri Lanka that the Indian change of position
would seriously damage prospects of the US sponsored resolution being defeated at the UNHRC

Nevertheless President Rajapaksa remained defiant and had told the minister of External Affairs
Prof.Gamini Lakshman Peiris that the resolution should be opposed vehemently even “if we get
only one vote at the UNHRC”.

In what amounted to a sharp “U’Turn the President has changed his stance overnight and is now
prepared to compromise on the resolution

This apparently is at the behest of Giant neighbour India that has offered a Compromise to Sri
Lanka by way of amending the text of the US resolution.

Senior Indian cabinet ministers who communicated with President Rajapaksa have impressed upon
him the fact that it would be better to seek a compromise with the US rather than confront it at
a vote in the UNHRC and face defeat

India had “gently” pointed out that if Sri Lanka did not heed the advice of New Delhi and
proceeded to defy the US at the UNHRC, India would be compelled to canvass against Colombo and
in association with the USA ensure the safe passage of the resolution at the UNHRC.

Faced with such a dismal prospect President Rajapaksa had capitulated to the dictates of Delhi
and agreed to a compromise by which the draft US resolution would be amended.

India is currently engaged in negotiations with the US as an “honest broker” representing Sri
Lanka. The objective is amending the resolution in a manner less stringent on Sri Lanka.

The proposed amendments would also allow Sri Lanka room to “save its face” in Geneva.

Although the final details are not known it is learnt that clauses of the draft resolution would
be changed to one in which it would be stipulated that Sri Lanka would be “Consulted” on related
issues and that steps would be taken in “concurrence” with Sri Lanka.

If the provisions of an amended resolution are acceptable to Sri Lanka it may then abandon its
principled position of opposing the resolution and instead express its “willingness” to comply.

In such a situation there is speculation that the resolution may be deferred and not be put to
the vote in this 19th UNHRC session.

Although the resolution was to be taken up for discussion and vote in the morning of Thursday
March 22nd it may now be taken up in the Evening or on Friday March 23rd.

If India is able to forge a consensus on the amended resolution it is very likely that only a
debate would take place and a vote may not be taken.

This reversal of stance by President Rajapaksa is likely to receive a mixed response . The
President’s image as a leader who would not cave into International pressure is likely to be
dented.

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe has revealed that the government was negotiating on the
US resolution at the UNHRC calling for accountability and reconciliation issues in Sri Lanka and
it might not be put to vote this week.

The UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told the UNP parliamentary group meeting in Colombo this ,
according to party sources.

Wickremesinghe said that the resolution was to be deferred on the strict condition that the
Mahinda Rajapaksa regime undertook to speedily implement the LLRCs recommendations which inter
alia call for the re-establishment of the independent police, election, public and judicial
service commissions required to enforce the rule of law and safeguard human rights.

The government had placed the country and its people in the present predicament, Wickremesinghe
said, adding that it was good to hear of a change in attitude even at this late stage.
 It is against this backdrop that the UNHRC in Geneva will determine the fate of the US
sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka that has been amended by India.
http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/4858

States debate Sri Lanka resolution text

States debate Sri Lanka resolution text

 Published by UN Watch - at March 8, 2012 in Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and Sri Lanka. 

The US Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, Eileen Donahoe, chaired today an informal
session to introduce their resolution on reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

During one of the most dramatic informal consultations –with a UN security guard by the doors–
the Sri Lankan Attorney-General challenged the premise and necessity of this draft, which he
categorically rejected and refused to engage in a dialogue on it. He called the consultation a
“farce,” adding that “might is not right.” He was supported by Egypt on behalf of NAM, Russia,
China, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Philippines, Algeria and other NAM countries. They all stressed that they
oppose country-specific resolution and that the text will have no effect without the consent of
the concerned country. Cuba challenged the US Ambassador by asking her to submit a resolution on
Guantanamo if they are so concerned with accountability issues.

Denmark for the EU, France, the UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland,
Germany, Norway and others supported the US initiative, calling it timely and necessary. The EU
also said they would like to see a reference in the text to the report of the Secretary-
General’s Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka. One of their recommendations is for the Council to
reverse its resolution praising Sri Lanka for its actions during the 2009 civil war that left
thousands of civilians dead.
http://blog.unwatch.org/index.php/2012/03/08/1803/

Lanka ready to face UNHRC resolution

“Our position is that this resolution is both uncalled for and unwarranted. There is no necessity for such a resolution, since we have started implementing the recommendations.”

Lanka ready to face UNHRC resolution

by Manjula FERNANDO

As Sri Lanka braces itself to face a possible resolution at the
19th United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions
starting tomorrow in Geneva, major powers have already assured
their support to shoot it down in view of the country’s
domestic reconciliation process.

Minister and President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights Mahinda
Samarasinghe told the Sunday Observer from Geneva late Friday
that the US delegation was circulating a draft resolution among
other delegates but it is yet to be officially handed over to
the Council.

The resolution calls for the implementation of the Lessons
Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) recommendations and
also called upon Sri Lanka to seek the assistance of the UN
Commissioner of Human Rights Navaneetham Pillai in the
implementation process.

“Our position is that this resolution is both uncalled for and unwarranted. There is no necessity for such a resolution, since we have started implementing the recommendations.”

The Sri Lankan delegation led by Minister Samarasinghe is in Geneva from Wednesday, meeting other envoys and briefing them on the measures the Government has taken towards a
‘comprehensive reconciliation’ in the post-conflict era. “What we are now demonstrating by talking to various delegations is to show the concrete steps the country has been taking in
implementing LLRC recommendations and our future efforts towards the goal of reconciliation.”

Asked about the consequences of the resolution being adopted the Minister said, “We will not allow it to succeed. We have ample evidence to show our commitment. They (the international community) will realise then that there is no necessity. We are very confident that we will be able to defeat
it.”

Already a number of countries including Sri Lanka’s biggest allies have confirmed their support if a resolution is brought against Sri Lanka, he said.

The Russian Ambassador in Colombo told a press conference last week that they believe Sri Lanka should be given time to sort out its own problems and external pressures should not block
this domestic process.

Similar sentiments have been expressed by other allies too in the HRC. Minister Samarasinghe in an interview with the Sunday Observer on Tuesday, prior to leaving for Geneva, outlined some of the
measures the Government has taken in implementing the LLRC recommendations from January this year, soon after the LLRC’s final report was presented in Parliament.

The Sri Lankan delegation which includes Ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Attorney General Eva Wanasundera met the HR High Commissioner
Navaneetham Pillai on Friday at 12 noon Geneva time. The Minister said they briefed her on the ‘ground developments’ and the Government’s efforts since the last HRC meeting in September 2011.

Sri Lanka defeated a resolution brought in by certain Western Bloc countries in May 2009 at the UNHRC, soon after LTTE terrorism was crushed.
Source: Sunday Observer lk