UNHRC adopts second UPR report in favour of Sri Lanka

by Manjula FERNANDO

The United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday adopted the second Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report on Sri Lanka without any objections. Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said this was a great achievement on the part of Sri Lanka since the Sri Lankan delegation rejected 94 recommendations, particularly those proposed by the members of the Western Bloc.

Many countries including the Russian Federation, China, Pakistan, Venezuela, Vietnam and Philippines spoke in support of Sri Lanka while the US and the UK pointed out a lack of progress and criticised the rejection of some of their recommendations by Sri Lanka.

In his concluding remarks before the report was adopted, Minister Samarasinghe said: “We have not absolved from our responsibilities. We want to ensure sustainable peace in Sri Lanka, but Sri Lanka needs space and time to achieve that.”

He assured that Sri Lanka will look into the events that had taken place during the 30-year battle against terrorism and ensure comprehensive reconciliation.

“A clear majority appreciated and acknowledged the tremendous progress made by the Government in moving towards comprehensive reconciliation.”

Regretting certain NGOs’ role in whitewashing the LTTE, he said, “One must not forget that this was an almost 30 years of war against terrorism, facing one of the worst forms of terrorism the world has ever seen, that was brought to an end. Many thousands of people suffered over the years.”

Extreme LTTE atrocities

“None of the non-governmental organisations mentioned the extreme atrocities committed by the LTTE in their interventions at the UPR report adoption.

“Civilians, men, women and children in their thousands, were brutally murdered and assassinated… indiscriminately killed by the LTTE suicide bombers and their bombs targeting civilian locations,” the Minister said.

He also referred to the ‘cold-blooded killing’ of 187 praying Muslims in a Kaththankudi mosque and how Muslims living for generations were banished from the North within a matter of hours.

“The most sacred place of worship among Buddhists all over the world, the Temple of the Tooth, was bombed by the LTTE with the intention of creating a backlash among Buddhists, fortunately the Sinhalese did not react, learning a lesson from 1983.”

The Minister said that no one who got in the way of their autocratic method of destabilising the country were spared. “This is the reason why Sri Lanka wanted to wipe out the LTTE and give the people the freedom they needed.”

He stressed that religious belief is guaranteed by the Sri Lankan Constitution and the Government will continue to protect and nurture religious freedom.

Sri Lanka did not take on board 94 recommendations proposed by some UN Member States at the UPR and accepted 110 recommendations to be implemented within the course of the next five years until its third working group review.

Some of the comments that were made in consideration of the SL UPR at the HRC sessions:

Pakistan

“We have to recognise the difficulties faced by Sri Lanka after its victory against terrorism in 2009 to protect and promote human rights.

The progress achieved so far outweighs the challenges and this should be appreciated. The international community should also play its due role by acknowledging the efforts of Sri Lanka in the field of human rights.”

India

“We thank the delegation of Sri Lanka for its constructive engagement with the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. We look forward to speedy resolution of the residual issues pertaining to the resettlement and rehabilitation process, where welcome progress has been made.”

Philippines

“Sri Lanka also accepted 12 recommendations specifically pertaining to the National Action Plan to implement the recommendations of its Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

It is heart-warming to know that the Government of Sri Lanka also provided budgetary outlay for 2013 for the implementation of the National Action Plan.

“For our delegation, these are clear demonstrations of the steadfast dedication of Sri Lanka to its national reconciliation process as well as its resolute commitment to ensure that the dividends of peace accrue to Sri Lankans.

“It is in this light that my delegation joins other States in expressing support to Sri Lanka’s request for time and space to enable its domestic processes to flourish.”

Vietnam

“Serious efforts have been made, significant results achieved so far in national reconstruction, reconciliation and improvement of human rights for the people of Sri Lanka.

“Cooperative engagement with the international community has grown. Vietnam is pleased to note that Sri Lanka accepted and responded to a high number of the recommendations, including two by Vietnam.

“Additionally, the ongoing implementation of the 19 voluntary commitments by Sri Lanka is also commendable.

“Sri Lanka today is facing challenges and hardships as has been recognised here this morning.

Sri Lanka knows that, for the country to overcome these and achieve greater successes, it needs to proceed with sustained political determination and vision, national solidarity and cohesion, as well as with greater resources from within, alongside constructive regional and international cooperation.

In this regard, we share the view that an environment favourable for a stable and peaceful Sri Lanka is even more indispensable.”

Representatives of Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela and the Arabian States spoke in their native languages.