Double standards and international law and order

The cynics would say that 'We now have it from the horse's mouth.' At a time when the progressive sections of the world are flabbergasted at the treatment meted out to Sri Lanka by the UNHRC over a US-sponsored resolution, a US Congresswoman is on record as saying that the this vital UN body, which is sitting on judgment over Sri Lanka, is a 'Rogues' Gallery'.

What are the publics of the world to make of this seemingly scandalous pronouncement? While the US saw the UNHRC as a virtual instrument of justice when it chose to arbitrate on issues pertaining to Sri Lanka, it is denigrating the same 'instrument of justice' in a different but not completely unrelated context of matters, in relation to Israel.

It could be argued that the Congresswoman concerned does not represent the US state but that does not change the fact that she is a prominent personality in the US administration and that her opinions are reflective of the views of influential and decision-making sections of the US. As External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris gives us to understand, the controversial opinion was voiced just a few hours after the resolution against Sri Lanka was carried by a whisker-thin majority in the UNHRC. Accordingly, we have here a crassly opportunistic and cynical use of the UNHRC by a major power.

Apparently, the instrument that seems legitimate in the case of Sri Lanka, is not so in the case of Israel, a staunch and trusted ally of the West. If the UNHRC is a 'Rogue Gallery', it is totally unfit to deliberate on issues pertaining to any country, leave alone Israel.

As is common knowledge now, Israel has totally rejected UNHRC moves to investigate matters pertaining to the territorial disputes between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. So vehemently has Israel rejected these moves that it has sworn to sever all working links with the UNHRC. It was immediately subsequent to this rejection that the 'Rogues' Gallery' opinion was voiced. Going into the nitty-gritty of the Mid-East conflict is beyond the scope of this commentary but suffice it to state that for decades on end, the conflict has remained unresolved and that much blood has flown.

The impact of the conflict is so deleterious that over the years, it has had a deeply divisive impact on the world community. Things have remained this way and are bound to remain this way as long as the West refuses to get its act right and fails to see the merits of the Middle East case.

Be that as it may, even-handed justice is vital to the smooth conduct of international relations and for the fostering and maintenance of world peace and stability. Sri Lanka has and will always be a law-abiding member of the world community but the perception that those international institutions which are seen to be the instruments of peace and justice are really double-dealing and partial, could lead to an undermining of the credibility and reliability of these bodies.

Sri Lanka deeply values the UN system and would like to see all measures and initiatives being taken to uphold its dignity and credibility. No agency of the UN should be abused in any fashion or be made to serve the partisan interests of any state.

As said before, Sri Lanka will abide by International Law and continue to be a propagator of world peace, but she is duty-bound to point out the need for all international institutions to serve the principles of justice and fairplay. If any of the UN organs are seen to be 'Rogues' Galleries', then, they must be reformed and made effective instruments of universal justice, by the international community.

International organizations would fail in upholding justice, if they are seen as partial and unfair. Credibility is the key requirement.