SRI LANKA: Demonstrators question a U.S. resolution calling for the U.N.'s Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations by the Sri Lankan government

Record ID: 858162

  • Title: SRI LANKA: Demonstrators question a U.S. resolution calling for the U.N.'s Human Rights Council to investigate human rights violations by the Sri Lankan government
  • Date: 25th March 2014
  • Summary: PROTESTERS SEATED AT INDEPENDENCE MEMORIAL HALL / PROTESTER ADDRESSING CROWD MONKS SEATED DURING ADDRESS RELIGIOUS REPRESENTATIVES LISTENING TO ADDRESS (SOUNDBITE) (Sinhala) NATIONAL ORGANISATION COLLECTIVE REPRESENTATIVE, DENGAMUWE NALAKA THERO, SAYING: "Western countries led by the US are organising themselves to make human rights allegations against Sri Lanka, the only country in the world that ended 30 years of terrorism. If we keep quiet, they will do it without any opposition. So, the national organisation collective has organised this peaceful protest at the independence square to weaken the strength and influence of local and foreign powers and protect our motherland."
  • Embargoed: 9th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sri Lanka
  • City:
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAC5CRALHA08J9P3DIAFQT15E9P
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Dozens of protesters gathered in Colombo's Independence Square on Tuesday (March 25) to demonstrate against a U.S.-sponsored resolution, calling on the U.N.'s Human Rights Council to investigate Sri Lanka's human rights violations, including sexual violence, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture and threats against human rights defenders and journalists.
    The U.N., through two U.S.-sponsored resolutions in the last two years, has asked Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), a local panel appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
    The West and rights groups say Rajapaksa's government has failed to address rights abuses and pursue a lasting political settlement.
    However for some protesters who peacefully convened at the Independence Memorial Hall and held a candle light vigil, it was the West who had failed with its baseless allegations of human rights abuses against Sri Lanka.

    "Western countries led by the US are organising themselves to make human rights allegations against Sri Lanka, the only country in the world that ended 30 years of terrorism. If we keep quiet, they will do it without any opposition. So, the national organisation collective has organised this peaceful protest at the independence square to weaken the strength and influence of local and foreign powers and protect our motherland," National Organisation Collective Representative, Dengamuwe Nalaka Thero, said.
    Earlier in March Sri Lanka's foreign minister, G.L. Peiris, told a Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva that his country doubted the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the office of the U.N.'s human rights chief, Navi Pillay who is a South African of Tamil ancestry.
    Pillay called for an international inquiry into war crimes committed by both government forces and separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during a 26-year civil war.
    Rights groups have welcomed Pillay's report, citing Sri Lanka's failure to comply with two successive UNHRC resolutions.
    A vote on the resolution is scheduled for the last week of the session, starting on March 27.
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