Decisions of UN Human Rights Council determined by political likes and dislikes

HRC has become a rogue gallery - US Congresswoman:

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The government, while reiterating that the decisions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) hinge on political likes and dislikes, yesterday insisted that there is no consistency whatsoever and commitment to principle on the part of the UN Human Rights Council.

External Affairs Minister Prof G.L. Peiris exposed the double standards adopted by certain states on HRC decisions.

“When UNHRC criticises some states, it is praised. When it criticises other states, it is harshly condemned,” he said.

Prof Peiris was speaking at the inauguration of Expo 2012 exhibition on the second day as the guest of honour at the BMICH yesterday.

The External Affairs Minister explained how US responded to the resolution passed by the UNHRC against Israel at the 19th session of the Council.

“Few hours after the resolution against Sri Lanka was passed at the UNHRC, the Council carried a resolution against Israel”, he said.

He said that the state of Israel in three phrases described the UNHRC and way it functioned as hyprocratical, politicized and one sided.

The Israel Government said that they were suspending all working relations with the UNHRC. He said that the US government says that the UNHRC is a rogue gallery when it carried a resolution against Israel.

Chairperson of the US House of Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Ileana Ros Lehtinen described the UNHRC as a rogue gallery.

The US should disassociate itself from the council and the US must find an alternative and credible form to address Human Rights issues, the Minister added.

He added that the export sector has done well despite constraints and challenges. "Despite constraints and challenges, export sector has done well because of its inherent capabilities," he added.

The minister was of the view that the exporters are faced with the challenge of trade agreements being politicized by the International community.

"A Russian envoy in New Delhi says the resolution against Sri Lanka was motivated by political factors and by passing the resolution, the HRC has done a great disservice to itself," the Minister said.

The minister said that the government has attached highest priority to the development of export sector and special emphasis has been laid on the development of infrastructure too such as harbours, airports, highways to improve connectivity.

"Wide ranging incentives in respect of value addition in agricultural products such as tea rubber and cinnamons have been provided", he said.

The External Affairs minister also said that the government has focused on the development of gem and jewellery sector. He said that Sri Lanka had two advantages namely its geographical location and the unique calibre of Sri Lanka's human resources.

He said that the inherent capability of export sector has helped it to cope with many challenges such as politicization of trade agreements effectively.

The External Affairs minister said that the GSP+ was refused for political reasons by the international community. "The export sector is capable of coping with this situation inspite of this trade barrier.

He said that the buyers did not desert Sri Lanka because of our exporters' reputation. Supply of quality products and their delivery on time, changing styles in keeping with global demand have helped build up our reputation, he said.