Expatriate Sri Lankans stage massive demo in Geneva, urge UNHRC not to undermine domestic efforts for reconciliation
Mon, Mar 24, 2014, 09:29 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.
Mar 24, Geneva: A massive demonstration was
held this afternoon at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
headquarters in Geneva with the participation of over 5,000 expatriate
Sri Lankan community in Europe.
The demonstration with unprecedented high participation was organized by
the United Sri Lanka organization based in Europe to protest against
the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka.
The demonstrators handed over a letter addressed to Mr. Michael MØller,
Actg. Director General of the UN, Geneva and Ms. Navanetham Pillay, UN
High Commissioner for Human Rights urging to giver Sri Lanka adequate
time and understanding to resolve the problems on its own without undue
interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil Diaspora.
They asked the World Body not to undermine the domestic efforts of
reconciliation.
Sri Lankans living in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, United
Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands took part regardless of
political affiliation. Sri Lankans living in Australia and Canada also
joined the demonstration.
The petition submitted by the demonstrators pointed out that Sri Lanka
has consistently interacted with the United Nations system and the wider
international community in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.
"We expect reciprocity in the cooperation between the UN system and Sri
Lanka in order to fulfill its international obligations and commitments
to bring about sustainable peace and reconciliation to all Sri
Lankans," the Sri Lankan community stated.
"We reiterate that Sri Lanka should be given adequate time and
understanding to resolve her problems by herself without undue
interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil Diaspora."
Expatriate Sri Lankans in Europe, headed by Unity for the United Sri
Lanka organized many protest marches throughout Europe in the run up to
the Geneva sessions. The first protest by this group was held in London
in front of the official residence of British Prime Minister, David
Cameron.
When the protest in France was held on March 19th, the pro-LTTE Tamil
Diaspora crowd tried to disrupt protest waving the banned organizations
flag. French police intervened and dispersed them.
The protest in front of the Italian parliament building lasted for more
than two hours. Italian government provided police security for the
protest march. The protesters handed over a letter addressed to the
Prime Minister Giorgio Napolitano through a PM's parliamentary staff
member.
Following is the petition handed over during the demonstration today:
Mr. Michael Mǿller
Actg. Director General
Office of the United Nations
Geneva
Ms Navanethem Pillay
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Geneva
Your Excellencies,
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 fair treatment from all the UN
bodies as well as its Chief Executive Officers such as you on issues
pertaining to its Member States like Sri Lanka.
We the peace-loving Sri Lankan expatriates, in large numbers
demonstrating our commitment to "peaceful co-existence without undue
influence or interference from external forces," which is a cross
section of thousands of such expatriates living in different parts of
the world wish to bring to your notice the following:
The most brutal and ruthless terrorism that plagued Sri Lanka for 30
years has been totally defeated; For the last two years there were no
disastrous suicide bombings; People of all ethnicities can move freely
and peacefully in any part of the country; economy is growing at 7%
contributed by significant regional growth rates of 23.6% from Northern
Province and 26.6% from Eastern Province. Tourism alone is growing at
25% and tourists are free 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. The
elections which were successfully conducted last year in the North
itself is a testimony to the return of political freedom to the region
after decades.
Since the defeat of terrorism in May 2009, a lasting peace is the only
hope for the future of Sri Lanka and its people. While being aware of
the fact that post-conflict processes do take time, what matters the
most is going on the right direction and keeping our eye on the ultimate
goal of reconciliation although it is a lengthy process.
The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, an internal mechanism
has been established to investigate into allegations of violations of
international law. The Government is in the process of implementing the
recommendations of this Commission which will enable the country to move
forward, addressing accountability issues and concerns on human rights,
It is evident that there has been significant progress in the
reconciliation process over the past 19 months since the National Plan
of Action (NPoA) came into force.
At a time when the process of reconciliation is making steady progress,
we do not wish to see the peace in Sri Lanka disturbed due to any
reason. Some lobby groups are trying within the Human Rights Council to
pass another resolution that will include a commitment to an Independent
International investigation in Sri Lanka in the form of a Commission of
Inquiry. These types of actions will not help to put the country on the
path to justice and reconciliation but become detrimental to fostering
goodwill and spirit of cooperation within the UN system. We believe that
these actions will further reduce the confidence most Sri Lankans have
on the UN system as being neutral within the international system.
Sri Lanka has consistently interacted with the United Nations system and
the wider international community in a spirit of goodwill and
cooperation. We expect reciprocity in the cooperation between the UN
system and Sri Lanka in order to fulfill its international obligations
and commitments to bring about sustainable peace and reconciliation to
all Sri Lankans. We reiterate that Sri Lanka should be given adequate
time and understanding to resolve her problems by herself without undue
interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil Diaspora.
While commending the important measures that you have taken in recent
years to elevate human rights concerns within the UN system, and
encouraging the participation of the civil society in its activities, we
urge you to consider the above concerns and emphasize that any efforts
by the UN to promote human rights in its member countries should not
essentially undermine the domestic efforts of reconciliation.
Very Truly Your's
Eric K Makawitage,
Nihal Liyange,
Sri Lanka Europe Friendship Association Mullheimerstr.
1216 Cointrin, Geneva, Switzerland. 1404057 basel
Addressing
the Non Government Organisations (NGOs), on the 17th March, Ms.Navi
Pillai thanked the NGOs for their Human Rights advocacy, monitoring and
protection She credited civil society with improving the human rights
mechanism to a new high.
