Lanka reaffirms unwavering HR commitment
All set for UN Human Rights Council vote:
Rasika SOMARATHNA
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka has emphasised its commitment to developing
the UN Human Rights Council into the truly global forum, that it was
formed to be, on the eve of its bid to get re-elected as a member of the
UNHRC.
The UN General Assembly is set to elect 15 new members to the UNHRC
and all candidates require an absolute majority to get elected with the
Asian block comprising Bahrain, East Timor, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea
and Sri Lanka in contention for seats held by Japan, Pakistan, South
Korea and Sri Lanka.
|
Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe |
The vote is to take place following the Universal Periodic Review
where Sri Lanka presented its final report at the closing session on
Monday.
At the adoption of the report from Sri Lanka, Disaster Management and
Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe who led the delegation at the
UPR process in a message said that as a founding member of the Council
the Government welcomed the initiative.
“In keeping with the spirit of UN General Assembly Resolution 60\125,
Sri Lanka is committed to the objective of this mechanism in identifying
ways in which the international community can work in partnership to
ensure the enjoyment of all rights by all persons, in a practical way,”
the Minister has said.
The Minister in his statement had also noted that Sri Lanka had
benefitted by many constructive suggestions and recommendations, during
the interactive dialogue under the UPR, which took place with the
participation of a large number of UN Member States.
He had also emphasised that Sri Lanka had accepted as many
recommendations as possible in addition to announcing a number of
voluntary commitments, with regard to furthering the promotion and
protection of Human Rights.
The Minister in his closing remarks has called the UPR a new and
evolving process which needs further improving and fine tuning.
While acknowledging the initiative the Minister has noted that the
experience must be shared, and shortcomings should be duly addressed
within the forum, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the UPR
process.
No country free of HR issues - Japan
In the run-up to today’s election of Human Rights Council members,
much of the debate has centred on Sri Lanka.
In a recent on-the-record briefing at the UN on Sri Lanka’s
prospects, Japan’s Deputy Permanent Representative Takahiro Shinyo said:
“No country has a perfect record with regard to human rights. There is
no country free of this issue, including my own country, including also
the host country here. No country is free of human rights abuse. So
that’s the reason why we have to make every effort to overcome or try to
cooperate with the other international organisations and also be
transparent. We receive, of course, very frankly, the criticism. And we
have also such issues... If the election could be made in order to
comply with the highest standard of the UN charter then I think it’s
fine, but election is a give-and-take process.” Inner City Press
Sparks likely as UN votes
Sparks are set to fly today when 15 seats on the UN Human Rights
Council come up for election, with European nations vying for influence
and NGOs warning some candidates are unfit to take part.
All of the United Nations’ 192 members have a say in Wednesday’s vote
at the UN General Assembly in New York, where candidate nations need an
absolute majority, or 97 votes, to be elected.
The 47-member, Geneva-based Human Rights Council was created in 2006
to replace the Human Rights Commission.
The United States opposed its creation, saying the new body’s rules
would still not guarantee its effectiveness, and has refused to take a
seat.
This year, 19 countries are contesting the 15 seats up for grabs
across the geographical areas.
Its critics say this demonstrates the weakness of the system, as the
lack of competition clears the way for unqualified nations.
In reality, the allocation of seats in the African and Latin American
groups is usually decided long before votes are cast.
The number of candidates coincides with the seats available, with
Gabon, Ghana, Mali and Zambia vying for Africa’s four seats, and
Argentina, Brazil and Chile stepping up to take the three in Latin
America. Under council regulations, candidates are evaluated on the
political rights, civil liberties and freedom of the press in their
countries, as well as their approach to human rights promotion at the
United Nations.
France and Britain have been on the diplomatic offensive here in New
York in a bid to keep their seats in the face of a challenge by Spain
for one of only two seats available for western European countries.
Francois Zimeray, France’s ambassador for human rights, has visited the
UN twice. He told reporters earlier this month that his country should
keep its place on the council not by virtue of its history, but its
mediating role.
“On human rights, we do not feel qualified to give lectures to
others, even though we have a message given our history,” he said, but
added: “The role of France is essential in helping reach consensus.”
AFP
|
