We need to be given time to further consolidate - Minister
The following is the statement made by Plantation Industries Minister
and Special Envoy of the President on Human Rights and head of the Sri
Lankan delegation Mahinda Samarasinghe on the resolution on Sri Lanka in
Geneva yesterday.
"Thank you for this opportunity, as the country concerned, to outline
our position in respect of the draft resolution before the Council. Many
in this Council would agree that Sri Lanka has been a role model of,
consistently and unambiguously, engaging with everyone in the Council;
not just on this occasion but over the years. This engagement has been
voluntary and was not restricted to a period in the aftermath of the
conflict, but occurred even during the height of the long-drawn-out
armed conflict, against one of the worst manifestations of terrorism.
"This transparent policy of sharing information has been out of a
sense of responsibility as a member of the international community and
in the face of a systematic and organised campaign aimed at distorting
and misinforming this Council and the outside world of the situation in
Sri Lanka. May I assure you, Madam President, that we will continue to
actively engage.
"Despite this exemplary interaction, Sri Lanka has been selectively
targeted by certain countries at the behest of some who, we believe,
still bear resentment at the clear and decisive decision taken at the
Special Session in 2009. This attempt to undermine the Resolution of
2009 is unacceptable especially because of the continuing improvement in
Sri Lanka during the intervening period. A resolution that dwells on the
past will impose on this Council the character of an adjudicatory body,
with no limitation as to its competence to reopen and revisit matters of
the past, which could have consequences affecting many others. Those who
live in glass houses are best advised to exercise caution before
throwing stones.
"We are a nation proud of our history, heritage and values as much as
any other nation states. We take our responsibilities as a member of the
international community very seriously and needless to say, are more
concerned about ensuring sustainable peace and reconciliation and
further promoting the unity of our nation that is multi - cultural,
multi - lingual, multi - religious and multi - ethnic in its
composition.
"After 30 long years of instability and violence, we have achieved
stability and peace. We need to be given time to further consolidate the
clear progress that has been achieved in a short period of three years.
"It is against this backdrop that my country is compelled to face a
misconceived, unwarranted and ill-timed draft resolution, which embodies
several harmful elements that clearly violate important principles that
will have adverse ramifications, not only for my country, but many other
countries.
"This is why, Madam President, we took a decision, on a matter of
principle, that we will not accept such a Resolution, in an endeavor to
also ensure that a bad precedent is not established by this Council.
"The way in which we will deal with this matter today will decide
whether or not purely parochial, if not political, agendas far removed
from the promotion and protection of human rights, will be permitted to
prevail.
"When we look at this draft resolution, it is clear that the founding
principles of the Human Rights Council which are anchored in
universality, impartiality, cooperation, non-selectivity and
objectivity, are being assailed. If we are true to our consciences, it
is not difficult to concede that the situation in Sri Lanka does not
warrant the attention and criticism in this Resolution. We are clearly
justified in asserting that we require time to realise comprehensive
reconciliation.
"This resolution also runs counter to the principle of international
law that domestic remedies must be exhausted and should be the first
resort, prior to superimposing external mechanisms. In respect of Sri
Lanka's situation, it is barely three months since the presentation of
the domestic mechanism's report. Is it fair for this Council to pre -
judge our commitment to all aspects of the domestic process at this
juncture? Shouldn't we be given the time and space to continue this
process of implementation and of reconciliation without undue
interference?
"If this proposed intrusion is accepted by this Council, no domestic
process would be free to deliver on its mandate unimpeded. Instead, a
superimposition of an external mechanism would become the order of the
day. I ask the question: Madam President, would all delegations in this
Council subscribe to such abdication of sovereign responsibility and
permit a usurpation of an independent nation's prerogative to act in its
people's paramount interests?
"We are aware that many delegations in this Council have consistently
taken a principled stand on the appropriateness of country - specific
resolutions in keeping with the spirit of the UN Charter. It is clear
that the resolution before us is inconsistent with this principled
position. We call upon all countries who value this principle to vote
against this draft resolution.
"We ask Members of this Council to take an objective view of the Sri
Lankan situation in its entirety and grant our people the necessary
latitude to complete a process that has already begun. In keeping with
past practice, we will voluntarily keep the Council informed of the
progress made. The Universal Periodic Review is the established
procedure for this, and it should not be subverted.
The draft Resolution, as presented, seeks to create doubt in a
sovereign and independent country's intent, resolve and capacity to
implement the recommendations of its domestic mechanism, without
according to it a reasonable time for implementation. It also fails to
acknowledge the steps taken and the progress made in the implementation
process. Accordingly, the intentions of the government in question are
being prejudged, deliberated and concluded upon by the Council even
before such government has had the opportunity to fulfill the
recommendations of a domestic mechanism. Furthermore, this resolution if
adopted, would undermine the principle of non-interference in matters
within the domestic jurisdiction of a country.
"This resolution if adopted will not add value to the implementation
process in Sri Lanka; on the contrary, it may well be counter-productive
and, as such, those who have been using extreme pressure tactics in
garnering support for this ill-timed and unwarranted initiative should
be mindful of the responsibility that accompanies it.
Let me assure you Madam President that the government of Sri Lanka
will spare no effort to safeguard the sovereignty and independence of
the motherland. As we defeated terrorism through resolute and united
action, we will dedicate our efforts to guaranteeing equality, dignity,
justice and respect of each and every Sri Lankan, who have reposed their
trust in our vision for the future. May I add, that no one has to remind
us of this responsibility.
"We have defeated one of the most ruthless terrorist outfits after 30
years of conflict to free our people. Ironically, proponents and
sponsors of this resolution are among those who have proscribed the LTTE
and who now seek to give comfort to the proxies of the organization. The
impact would be to encourage them to resume their activity under the
protective umbrella of these countries and also to undermine a
long-standing, well established democracy such as Sri Lanka.
The resolution before this Council for consideration is not
acceptable to Sri Lanka as the country concerned. To the sponsor and
co-sponsors of this resolution, I say: 'Physician, heal thyself'." |