A large group of Sri Lankan expatriates residing in Switzerland, France, Italy, UK and other European countries recently conducted a protest in Geneva to pressure the UNSG Ban ki-Moon to discard the controversial ‘Darusman report’ which dealt with accountability issues in Sri Lanka.
Switzerland based Eric Makawitage told The Island that over 2,000 Sri Lankans participated in the demonstration. "There were people from Germany, Norway and Sweden,too. Five buses and several vans from Paris and 17 buses from Italy brought the people. There were Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslim participants," he said. Responding to a query, he estimated the number of Tamil participants at 200. At the end of the demonstration, the group handed over the following letter to the UN:
We, the peace-loving people of Sri Lankan origin wish to bring the following facts to your notice. As you are well aware, Sri Lanka is a member of the United Nations for the past six decades and it has proudly demonstrated its unstinted belief in the cherished principles of the UN. Hence, we expect a fair treatment from all the UN bodies as well as its Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary General on issues pertaining to Sri Lanka.
We consider that the appointment of a ‘Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka’ to advice the UNSG and then release the so-called report of the panel is totally beyond the mandate of the Secretary General of the UN. It is well known that the said report was borne outside of an intergovernmental process which also has no official status in the UN system. Furthermore it is an unwarranted and unnecessary interference in the internal affaires of Sri Lanka which is a sovereign state. We wish to point out that neither the UN General Assembly nor the UN Security Council has authorized the appointment of an expert panel or the release of its report.
The UN Charter clearly states that the Secretary General shall perform his functions as entrusted by the UNSC, UNGA or other UN body such as the Human Rights Council. None of the above mentioned UN bodies directed you to such a cause of action. On the contrary, the UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution with 29 votes in favour and 12 against not to interfere in the Sri Lankan issue.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has thought fit to refer to this panel report in her report to the 17th Session of the HRC. It is a document which was compiled by a Panel to advise the SG, that too at his own request, and well exceeding its mandate, thereby bringing into question her objectivity. Further the High Commissioner unbecomingly deems it appropriate to call for action on the recommendations of the said report which are based on unverified information and also un-sourced, and would remain so for the next 20 years. In fact the Report itself states that the facts are unsubstantiated.
We the peace-loving Sri Lankan expatriates wish to bring to your notice the following: Most brutal and ruthless terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for 30 years has been totally defeated; For the last two year there were no disastrous suicide bombings; People of all ethnicities can move freely and peacefully in any part of the country; Tourist are coming in their thousands to enjoy our rich cultural heritage and our beautiful beaches without any fear.
People enjoy their democratic rights to elect their representatives in free and fair elections.
At a time when the process of reconciliation is making a steady progress, we do not wish to see the peace in Sri Lanka is disturbed due to any reason. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, an internal mechanism has been established to investigate into allegations. It is incorrect to prejudge the ability of the domestic mechanism even before it has concluded its investigations.
Therefore, we appeal to all Permanent Representatives to the UN to intervene on behalf of Sri Lanka to safeguard its sovereignty and to carry forward its endeavour to ensure ethnic reconciliation and peaceful progress in the conducive atmosphere which has dawned after the defeat of 30 years of terrorism." (Courtesy: The Island)
Switzerland based Eric Makawitage told The Island that over 2,000 Sri Lankans participated in the demonstration. "There were people from Germany, Norway and Sweden,too. Five buses and several vans from Paris and 17 buses from Italy brought the people. There were Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslim participants," he said. Responding to a query, he estimated the number of Tamil participants at 200. At the end of the demonstration, the group handed over the following letter to the UN:
We, the peace-loving people of Sri Lankan origin wish to bring the following facts to your notice. As you are well aware, Sri Lanka is a member of the United Nations for the past six decades and it has proudly demonstrated its unstinted belief in the cherished principles of the UN. Hence, we expect a fair treatment from all the UN bodies as well as its Chief Executive Officer, the Secretary General on issues pertaining to Sri Lanka.
We consider that the appointment of a ‘Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka’ to advice the UNSG and then release the so-called report of the panel is totally beyond the mandate of the Secretary General of the UN. It is well known that the said report was borne outside of an intergovernmental process which also has no official status in the UN system. Furthermore it is an unwarranted and unnecessary interference in the internal affaires of Sri Lanka which is a sovereign state. We wish to point out that neither the UN General Assembly nor the UN Security Council has authorized the appointment of an expert panel or the release of its report.
The UN Charter clearly states that the Secretary General shall perform his functions as entrusted by the UNSC, UNGA or other UN body such as the Human Rights Council. None of the above mentioned UN bodies directed you to such a cause of action. On the contrary, the UN Human Rights Council has passed a resolution with 29 votes in favour and 12 against not to interfere in the Sri Lankan issue.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has thought fit to refer to this panel report in her report to the 17th Session of the HRC. It is a document which was compiled by a Panel to advise the SG, that too at his own request, and well exceeding its mandate, thereby bringing into question her objectivity. Further the High Commissioner unbecomingly deems it appropriate to call for action on the recommendations of the said report which are based on unverified information and also un-sourced, and would remain so for the next 20 years. In fact the Report itself states that the facts are unsubstantiated.
We the peace-loving Sri Lankan expatriates wish to bring to your notice the following: Most brutal and ruthless terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for 30 years has been totally defeated; For the last two year there were no disastrous suicide bombings; People of all ethnicities can move freely and peacefully in any part of the country; Tourist are coming in their thousands to enjoy our rich cultural heritage and our beautiful beaches without any fear.
People enjoy their democratic rights to elect their representatives in free and fair elections.
At a time when the process of reconciliation is making a steady progress, we do not wish to see the peace in Sri Lanka is disturbed due to any reason. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, an internal mechanism has been established to investigate into allegations. It is incorrect to prejudge the ability of the domestic mechanism even before it has concluded its investigations.
Therefore, we appeal to all Permanent Representatives to the UN to intervene on behalf of Sri Lanka to safeguard its sovereignty and to carry forward its endeavour to ensure ethnic reconciliation and peaceful progress in the conducive atmosphere which has dawned after the defeat of 30 years of terrorism." (Courtesy: The Island)
 |
