“UNHRC RESOLUTION – REJECTED” -PRESIDENT
Posted on March 28th, 2014
Courtesy The Daily News
Will press ahead with Sri Lanka’s own reconciliation plan
Resolution only hurts our reconciliation efforts
President Mahinda Rajapaksa rejected Thursday’s UN Human Rights Council resolution calling for a probe into alleged human rights violations, telling AFP that he would instead press ahead with Sri Lanka’s own reconciliation plan.
“We reject this,” President Rajapaksa said. “This resolution only hurts our reconciliation efforts. It does not help.
“But, I am not discouraged. We will continue with the reconciliation process I have started,” he added in a phone call.
The President said he had drawn comfort from India’s abstention in Geneva. “I think it is encouraging that India did not vote against us,” he said.
President Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka’s home-grown process had made sweeping recommendations to ensure ethnic unity and the government was implementing them.
“We need time to implement the recommendations of the LLRC,” the President said.
“I want to repeat again that we are going ahead with this process.”
He said the US had mounted a major campaign to drum up support for the censure motion and he was at a disadvantage from the start.
The EU votes as a block and the US had more than a dozen votes already in the bag while we started with none,” he said.
The resolution was passed with 23 voting in favour. The majority of the UNHRC members either voted against or abstained. Of the 47 member states, 12 voted against the resolution and another 12 countries abstained.
Commenting on the voting pattern, External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris said the outcome of the US sponsored resolution reflects that more countries are against the U S at the UNHRC.
In 2013, as many as 25 member states voted in favour of the resolution, thus obtaining an absolute majority. However, this time the US and other sponsors could not muster 50 % support.
– See more at: http://www.dailynews.lk/?q=local/rejected#sthash.hjpS4W6L.dpuf
March 28th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
It is not enough Mr.MR and GULP. Hit bloody hard on Pillai woman’s head. Why the hell these spineless people keep on playing the bloody diplomacy when the Basturds are openly campaigning on bogus claims? Call the spade the spade. Humiliate the buggers. Critisise the buggers. Hammer the buggers hard on their heads. Damn the buggers and bugger the bugers.
March 28th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
NOW MR will think Endia is a friend.
How about China and Pakistan? They could have sat on the fence. Then we have NO friends.
March 28th, 2014 at 3:51 pm
The ONLY REASON India did not vote against Sri Lanka is due to the UK pushing for a comprehensive International investigation. Usually such investigations have to go through the Security Council but UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon bypassed the Security Council by setting up a separate body to do what should first pass through the Security Council.
India refused to sign onto this “comprehensive international investigation” unless it was limited to the period between 2002 to 2009. Colombo insisted any such investigation has to cover the entire war which would have also included the human rights violations commited by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) when they were in Sri Lanka and took on the Tamil Tigers loosing one thousand six hundred soldiers. The massive human rights commited by the IPKF were so severe that the Indian press refused to cover it.
Had India voted against Sri Lanka then the demand by the British Prime Minister Cameron would have also taken effect. Colombo would have resisted since it would require Sri Lanka’s permission to carry out such an investigation and because it was only limited to the period of 2002-2009. The UK was so determined that Sri Lanka be investigated that the chance of investigating the entire war as demanded by Colombo would have become the nightmare India definitely wanted to avoid.
Such a comprehensive investigations would have not only addressed the human rights violations of the IPKF but thrown open the doors to various expat Indian communities that have petitioned the UN for similar such investigations. Communities such as the global Sikhs, the global Indian Muslims and other Expat Indians such as the Assamese would have opened a Pandora’s box of human rights violations against India’s military, including slavery (India is home to half the world’s slaves or 14 million of them), the condition of the Dalits, child labor, the rising tide of rape, to an relentless list of other human rights violations in India’s society.
March 29th, 2014 at 3:40 am
USA attacks UNHRC over anti-Israel resolutions!!!
“The United States on Friday issued a scathing attack against the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday for its continued biased treatment of Israel and charged that the council was harming the peace process.
America was the sole country to vote against five anti-Israel resolutions with the UNHRC approved on Friday afternoon as it met in Geneva at the close of its 25th session.
Four of the five resolutions attacked Israel’s treatment of Palestinians over the pre-1967 lines and were approved 46 to 1.
The fifth resolution that dealt with Israel’s continued presence on the Golan Heights, and its treatment of the Syrian population that lives there, passed with the approval of 33 nations. There were 13 abstentions and one vote against it.
The US took particular issue with the council’s Agenda Item 7, which mandates that Israel must be debated at every UNHRC session. Israel is the only country with such a standing agenda item.
“We are deeply troubled once again to be presented with a slate of one sided resolutions that undermine efforts to make progress in the negotiations,” said Paula Schriefer, who heads the US Delegation to the UNHRC.
She noted in particular that the US remains “deeply troubled by the council’s stand alone agenda item directed against Israel and by the many repetitive and one sided resolutions under this agenda item.”
“None of the world’s worst human rights violators, some of whom are the objects of resolutions at this session have their own stand alone agenda item at this council,” Schriefer said.
“Only Israel, a vibrant and open democracy, received such treatment,” Schriefer said.
“Especially disturbing is this council complacency with the repeated introduction of a resolution focusing on the Golan Heights,” said Schriefer.
“To consider such a resolution while the Syrian regime continues to slaughter its own citizens exemplified the absurdity of this agenda item and each of the other resolution on Agenda item 7,” Schriefer said.
She explained that the US supported the Palestinian’s right to self determination but that it did not believe these resolutions helped advance a two state solution or the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Schriefer noted that the US provided financial and technical assistance to the Palestinian people and was the largest donor to UNRWA.
The Foreign Ministry was not present at the council meeting due to its ongoing strike.”
-jpost
How true about SL!! USA repeatedly attacks SL at the UNHRC but when others bring 5 RESOLUTIONS against Israel and pass it USA gets spikes up its arse.
GOOD FOR THEM!!
Karma! Karma!
5 times!!
March 29th, 2014 at 8:24 am
Mexico has ‘unexpectedly’ turned away from supporting Lanka at the UNHRC.
I would assume that Mexico will always support US aspirations and not Sri Lankan wishes. Mexico is America’s southern neighbor with a neighbor’s dependency on wealthy America. Sri Lanka ought not to depend on the US neighbors, Mexico or Canada, or any western countries hosting the Tamil Diaspora, re justice for Lanka in the ‘Tamil Problem’ matters.
The ‘Tamil Problem’ is not in Sri Lanka. It is in Tamil Nadu in the form of Caste/poverty. Sri Lanka is being USED for the dual purpose of solving Tamil Caste/poverty problems of TN, plus satisfy vested interests. False allegations are being used to achieve these objectives. Objectives viewed as inimical to Lanka are being put in place prior to Indian elections which most probably will bring in the BJP. The BJP is not for Eelam. The BJP is for 100 Smart Cities in India which action will most probably dilute the whole Caste/poverty problem there.
Looking at the brighter side of matters, the new UNHRC vote will see to it that Sri Lanka closes her doors on dependency on Tamil LABOR from Tamil Nadu. This means cutting the umbilical cord to Tamil Nadu which is the place where Tamil problems are created through the Caste/poverty bind. At a future date, fairly soon, New Smart Cities will dilute that problem in Tamil Nadu.
Self Sufficiency, Self Dependency is best for Lanka, same as for other places.
——–
“Mexico reneges on promise; three Asian countries switch sides
US-sponsored UNHRC against Sri Lanka
March 28, 2014, 10:29 pm – ISLAND
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Much to the surprise of the Sri Lankan delegation at the ongoing session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Mexico, voted for Thursday’s US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka in spite of its promise to skip the vote in return for Sri Lanka’s support to get elected to the rights body.
Mexico was among the 14 countries elected through secret ballot on November 12, 2013 to serve on the UNHRC for a period of three years beginning on 01 January 2014. Others were Algeria, China, Cuba, France, the Maldives, Morocco, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Vietnam, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
Geneva based diplomatic sources told The Island that Mexico had promised Sri Lanka that it would dissuade the US from moving a resolution at the UNHRC and in case the Obama administration went ahead with its move, it would abstain.
Asked whether the Sri Lankan government had raised the issue with Mexico, authoritative sources revealed that Mexico justified its action on the basis its representatives tried to soften the language of the resolution titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.’ Sources said that the Mexican claim was nothing but laughable when the resolution meant to empower the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to investigate alleged wartime atrocities during the last phase of the war.
The resolution received the backing of 22 countries. Being a member of the UNHRC comprising 47 countries, the US was also able to vote for its own resolution. Twelve countries voted against while 12 abstained.The first US resolution was endorsed in 2012 with 24 countries voting for and 15 against while eight countries abstained. In the following year, 25 countries backed the second US resolution while 13 countries opposed, eight abstained and one didn’t even turn up (Gabon).
Sources said that the situation in Geneva would have been much better this year if Kuwait, the Philippines and Indonesia remained on Sri Lanka’s side. All three had abstained due to heavy US pressure, sources said, adding that the Philippines couldn’t have disappointed the US particularly in view of President Barack Obama’s impending visit to Manila. Obama is scheduled to visit Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines in April this year.
Obama visited Indonesia last October.
Sources said that Japan abstained though many expected the government of Japan to throw its weight behind the US project in the backdrop of Obama’s impending visit to Tokyo. Much to the discomfort of the US administration, Japan skipped the vote on Sri Lanka last year too.
Morocco too, had been subjected to intense pressure compelling the government to abstain though it earlier indicated readiness to back Sri Lanka, sources said.
A senior government official said that the US hadn’t recently resorted to such tactics, canvassing for three consecutive years against one country. “We are actually surprised. In fact some of those who had supported US resolutions too, privately expressed surprise over US efforts against a friendly country,” the official said.
The US provided vital assistance by way of critically important intelligence which led to the sinking of four LTTE vessels on the high seas in late 2007, thereby helped Sri Lanka to bring the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009″.
March 29th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
I wish to deviate from this thread but discuss an important human right issue to our people at Raja Rata where several hundred thousands are directly affected and at according to reports at least five to six are dying every day. We as LW commentators carried out a massive campaign on this issue and even the Controller of Pesticides presented hi letters here. Even after identifying the culprit GOSL is in a half a mind to ban the substance found to be the cause. It appears the Minister of Agriculture and the Controller of Pesticide is continuing their campaign against a ban on the substance. People have been dying for the last twenty years or so. If it is found that Glyphosate is even remotely connected with it, GOSL should ban it immediately. Several South American countries have already taken action after the discovery. Peoples lives are more important than than any economic fallout. This Pesticide Controller has even been evading our questions in this forum and has been in the job for donkey years. At least now he should be removed and sent to another place. His main task was to ensure no harmful products enter the country, not economic issue. To my mind he is the one responsible for the death of our people, which is much more important than Geneva.
March 29th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Glyphosate= Monsanto = IMF = Americunts ( a few American Jews running the world) = Master of Nondi Pillay = Enemy of the human race
How can MR stop this ?
He can’t.
Americunts will send him to gallows stopping the enjoyment he is receiving every day now.
His enjoyment is bigger than “at least five to six are dying every day”.
March 29th, 2014 at 4:42 pm
aloy,
I saw a write up in the press stating that the ban has been issued by the President, but at another levels the authority concerned says the actual implementation of the ban will take place after the elections (Saturday) only. We await the ban….
I do not see how this election is connected to implement the ban – curious, ain’t it !!!!
March 29th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Fran, Usually the politician hide behind the official as is the case in mega contracts (we will not discuss those in the case of the recent bridge project even though we are able to compare with similar elsewhere with modern technology). So, if I am right,even in this case the Prez may be hiding behind the minister and the minister behind the official and that is how they last donkey years.
March 29th, 2014 at 6:19 pm
aloy,
I hope you are wrong ! However, let us now await post election justice ….
March 30th, 2014 at 5:10 am
Bernard Wijesinghe and Lorenzo. Isreal is an artificial country. Set up by the Rothchild Banking Establishment in London. Therefore Isreal only answers to the British Govt, British Oligarchy and the Queen of England.
March 31st, 2014 at 6:41 am
aloy,
We are totally with you re the banning of poisonous chemicals, including harmful Glyphosate, being applied to soil in Sri Lanka.
Likely that the Glyphosate gets suspended in water in the paddy fields and gets easily absorbed in some compounded form through the skin of the paddy farmers, leading to CKD and other diseases.
An article from the web sent by some friends states that as a protective measure, Japanese farmers wear high boots and gloves when working in the paddy fields. So Sri Lanka farmers ought to do the same. This should be a project for the Provincial Councils of Lanka as it affects all the Provinces.
———-
Please read the article below. Also, some areas in the world have already stopped Glyphosate applications as weed killers. There are other dangerous chemicals in the market place world wide that are inadequately tested. Monsanto patent on Glyphosate expired in 2002
(pls chi this). This enables other companies include Glyphosate in their weed killers.
Read labels before buying products. Sri Lanka ought to insist on labeling of products – get savvy, People of Lanka !
From website : iEatGreen
In the News: Victory! EU Votes to Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides, Study Links Monsanto’s Roundup to Autism, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimers, How Toxic is Your Lipstick?
POSTED ON MAY 7, 2013
EU Votes to Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides
On April 29th, a landmark decision was made by the European Commission – bee-killing, neonicotinoid pesticides will experience a continent-wide ban in Europe for two years. A 15-member states majority supported the ban, with eight against and four abstaining. The ban comes several months after the EFSA released a report identifying “high acute risk” to honey bees from uses of certain neonicotinoid chemicals. In the U.S., the silence from executive regulatory agencies is deafening. Beekeepers and environmental advocacy groups have continuously engaged the EPA on this issue, first filing an emergency legal petition to ban the pesticide clothianidin back in March 2012. After being ignored by regulators, Beyond Pesticides joined with beekeepers, environmental and consumer groups in a lawsuit challenging the agency’s oversight of these systemic pesticides, as well as their practice of “conditionally” registering pesticides without adequate data. The EU vote represents a major setback to industry giants Syngenta and Bayer, which spent millions of dollars lobbying European states to not support a ban on their products, and casted calls for a ban on the unfounded accusations of “bee-hobbyists.” According to the Guardian UK, “One Syngenta executive, mentioning in passing his recent lunch with Barack Obama, claimed that ‘a small group of activists and hobby bee-keepers’ were behind that campaign for a ban.” Industry continues to argue that a ban would be catastrophic to agriculture, but similar bans in Italy, Slovenia and Germany enacted a couple years ago did not hinder the agricultural community. In light of these new restrictions across Europe, EPA must also move to restrict these chemicals in the U.S. to protect bee and other pollinator health.
Study Links Monsanto’s Roundup Autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
A new review of hundreds of scientific studies surrounding glyphosate—the major component of Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide—sheds light on its effects within the human body. The paper describes how all of these effects could work together, and with other variables, trigger health problems in humans, including debilitating diseases like gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Glyphosate impairs the cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene pathway, which creates enzymes that help to form and also break down molecules in cells. There are myriad important CYP enzymes, including aromatase (the enzyme that converts androgen into estrogen) and 21-Hydroxylase, which creates cortisol (stress hormone) and aldosterone (regulates blood pressure). One function of these CYP enzymes is also to detoxify xenobiotics, which are foreign chemicals like drugs, carcinogens or pesticides. Glyphosate inhibits these CYP enzymes, which has rippling effects throughout our body. Because the CYP pathway is essential for normal functioning of various systems in our bodies, any small change in its expression can lead to disruptions. For example, humans exposed to glyphosate have decreased levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which is necessary for active signaling of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Suppressed serotonin levels have been associated with weight gain, depression and Alzheimer’s disease. This paper does not claim to yield new scientific discoveries. Instead, it looks at older studies in a new light. .The authors of the new review call for more independent research to validate their findings, stating that “glyphosate is likely to be pervasive in our food supply, and contrary to being essentially nontoxic, it may in fact be the most biologically disruptive chemical in our environment.” If the body of independent research on GE foods and the herbicides used with them shows one thing, it is that there are unanswered questions begging for unbiased research. And while these questions remain unanswered, Americans have the right to know how their food was produced.
How Toxic is Your Lipstick?
In a small study out last week, researchers tested lipsticks and lip glosses for toxic metals, including lead and cadmium. Though metal content varied widely from brand to brand, they found that women who apply lipstick two to three times daily can ingest a significant amount—20 percent of the daily amount that’s considered safe in drinking water or more—of aluminum, cadmium, chromium, and manganese. Depending on the lipstick, in some cases women who applied it 14 times a day or more, were meeting or surpassing the daily recommended exposure to chromium, aluminum, and manganese. Lead, a metal that humans should avoid exposure to entirely, was detected in 75 percent of the samples. Some of these chemicals are nasty: Cadmium, for example, is a carcinogen that has been found in breast cancer biopsies and shown to cause cancer cells to multiply in lab experiments. Lipsticks with traces of lead included one made by Burt’s Bees, which is now owned by Clorox. The FDA itself doesn’t even test the dozens of dyes used in cosmetics or set the maximum amounts of metals in them; it outsourced that job years ago to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an organization established in 1976 by a cosmetics-industry-aligned trade and lobbying group. Over the years, the US has banned 22 chemicals outright. For comparison, the EU currently bans more than 1,300 chemicals. Want to limit your heavy metal intake without giving up your lipstick? The FDA’s 2012 test found less than one part per million of lead in Wet n’ Wild, Bobbi Brown, and Shiseido brand lipsticks. The Environmental Working Group also has a database with information on cosmetic products and the risky ingredients that could be in them, and the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a list of its favorite products online as well.
March 31st, 2014 at 6:45 am
read as : “(Pls check on this) …. “