THE Sri Lankan resolution, expanded from 17 to 29 paragraphs titled ‘Assistance to Sri Lanka in the promotion and protection of human rights’ was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council by an absolute majority yesterday. It was a strong endorsement of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government’s efforts at routing terrorism and the successful handling of the world’s biggest hostage crisis, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who led the Lankan delegation to Geneva, said yesterday.
Sri Lanka’s resolution, which was subjected to a vote, was adopted by the 47-member Council with 29 voting in favour and 12 against. Six other nations abstained from voting.
Minister Samarasinghe who spoke over the phone from Geneva said “This is a clear message that the international community is behind Sri Lanka in its endeavour to rebuild the nation to provide our citizens with equal opportunities.”
While hailing the verdict as a great victory for the country which the President was looking forward to, Minister Samarasinghe said that the international community also on the occasion and endorsed Sri Lanka’s open and transparent stance and its willingness to engage in dialogue to resolve allegations of human rights abuse.
Also according to news reaching Daily News form Geneva, the UNHRC President too had commenced the Sri Lankan delegation for its willingness and co-operation in facing deliberations in a transparent and open manner.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative at the UN in Geneva, Dr. Dayan Jayatillake responding to the outcome said it was “the best synthesis of the sentiments of the Human Rights Council”.
Sri Lanka, which had earlier drawn a 17-point resolution presented an amended resolution at 7.15 p.m. Geneva time incorporating some of the elements of the Swiss Resolution.
When the Council re-convened, Germany had, on behalf of the European Union, recommended a further nine amendments. However, this move was shot down by Cuba on the basis of technical and procedural irregularities. The Council had then decided to vote on the expanded resolution submitted by Sri Lanka. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama, speaking on the outcome of the Session said that the efforts in Geneva constituted a major achievement in terms of Sri Lanka’s international relations in the immediate aftermath of successfully countering LTTE terrorism.
“The final result, 29 countries voting for us and only 12 opposing, shows that Sri Lanka stands on top in terms of wide support from a states across the globe. This is again a reflection of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s astute leadership and the wide engagement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in seeking the support of the international community,” he said.
It is reported that Sri Lanka’s expanded resolution was widely accepted by member-countries with the presentation of the Lankan delegation even convincing its foes to support the countries cause at the last moment.
The second and third plenary meetings of the United Nations Human Rights Council 11th Special session on the human right situation of Sri Lanka was conducted yesterday with the request of 17 of the 47 members of the UNHRC.
(Courtesy: Daily News)
