Human rights is universal - President

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday asserted that human rights was a supreme right not confined to one community but a right enjoyed by all.

Addressing the Human Rights Commemoration ceremony in Tangalle via satellite from Temple Trees, President Rajapaksa said irrespective of race, group or region, he was committed to wipe off tears of all mothers who have been victims of human rights violations, whether they are in the South, North or the East.

The President said his Government had to launch various programmes, introduce new legislation and bring in emergency regulations with much caution to ensure the protection of human rights in the country. This had implicitly stated that nobody's human rights would be violated.

"We had to promulgate the once detested anti-terrorism laws with the sole intention of protecting our people. We have strictly advised the officials to discharge their duties with caution and full conviction in the proper manner by which the rights of all citizens are protected, irrespective of their race, religion or region."

The recent laws were not intended to suppress, harass or deprive anyone of their rights. Arrests should be made via the accepted norms."

As we are duty bound to eradicate terrorism, we are also obliged to protect human rights as well," the President stressed.

He said children have the right to be educated sans closure of schools, workers have the right to hold public rallies, stage protests, demonstrations and strikes, students' demonstrations and picketing among others. "We have no right to deprive these democratic rights of the people. We will never do so," the President said.

President Rajapaksa opined that when accusations were made pertaining to the violations of human rights, as a responsible Government, they were bound to maintain transparency and impartiality sans any hesitation. They had appointed a Special Commission and invited international representation for same.

"I made this very clear when I briefed the Security Council on these matters, and they fully endorsed it," he said. The President added that Tangalle was selected as the venue for this event to reminisce the past experience where he himself underwent many trials and tribulations and was unduly harassed as a political prisoner who fought for human rights during the 1987, '88 and '89 periods.

President Rajapaksa also underscored the importance of making the people informed of their rights, so as their rights will not be violated at any time and lauded the organisers' efforts for arranging the commemoration ceremony.