Day: 23 September 2015

Draft Resolution for promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka

Karu

The draft text of the consensual resolution on Sri Lanka which is to be taken up for discussion on 30 September 2015 at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council will be tabled next week in Geneva. The Draft of the resolution states: Draft Resolution for promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka to Human Rights Council HRC 30th Session – Draft Resolution Item 2:  Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka The Human Rights Council, Preambular paragraphs Pp1 Reaffirming the purposes and principles of…

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BTF wants an International mechanism

Karu

The British Tamils Forum (BTF) has requested the UNHRC to ensure that its forthcoming resolution on Sri Lanka address accountability issues through  an International Independent mechanism  and deals with  humanitarian issues and human right violations. The full text of the statement of the BTF is as follows: The report, which calls for investigations on more than 10 counts of criminal acts, represents a clear acknowledgement of crimes committed by the Sri Lankan state against the Tamil people.Amongst the criminal acts identified, “directing attacks against civilian object and / or against civilians…

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Wigneswaran calls on council to adopt victim-centred transitional approach

Karu

Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister C.V Wigneswaran called on the council to work for a resolution that fully adopts the recommendations of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and allows a victim-centred transitional approach to the accountability and reconciliation process. Writing a guidance note to the drafters of the upcoming consensus resolution on Sri Lanka and to member states of the UN Human Rights Council, the Chief Minister underscored five themes that would need to be sufficiently addressed in the resolution. Following are excerpts of his statement; “It is vital…

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China will support Sri Lanka

Karu

China is putting its weight behind Sri Lanka and pushing for amendments to the first text of the draft resolution to be tabled at the UN Human Rights Council this week, demanding that it reflect the positive changes in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is pushing for amendments to the current text and it has found support in the form of China and Russia. The second informal briefing on Sri Lanka took place in Geneva yesterday on the sidelines of the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council. The core…

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Building a new Sri Lanka that calls for political, not juridical, action

Karu

The report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka describes a painful truth that Sri Lanka has to confront, accept and act upon. It is welcome that the new, post-Rajapaksa regime promises to undo the damage and build an inclusive, democratic nation. It must be supported to make good on its word and held to moral and political account. The report quantifies and classifies the pain the most intense phase of Sri Lanka’s long civil war has inflicted on its people, Tamil, Sinhala and Muslim.…

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Sri Lanka plans to build 137,529 houses for Tamils killed by Army

Karu

Sri Lanka wants to build 137,529 houses for people in former war torn areas in the North and the East of the country, cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said. The cabinet of ministers had approved a proposal by D M Swaminathan, Minister for Rehabilitation and Resettlement to build the houses. The government would call for proposals from domestic and international parties for the construction of 137,529 houses, Senaratne said. The planned houses are in addition to 44,000 house being built by India. Houses of people in Jaffna, Vanni and the East had…

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