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Discussions on Human Rights Issues in Geneva

Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process

10 September 2007

The Peace Secretariat welcomed the opportunity to engage in discussions in Geneva regarding human rights with representatives of other countries as well as human rights groups. Whilst most countries were supportive of the efforts of Sri Lanka to engage in open discussion and take remedial action as appropriate, even in the midst of dealing with terrorism, a few countries had particular questions that needed to be addressed.

This was done frankly, and the delegation led by the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights was able to correct misconceptions whilst explaining actions that had been taken in particular areas of concern. A comprehensive programme had been arranged by the Sri Lankan Mission in Geneva, and the delegation was able to respond to a range of viewpoints. It particularly welcomed the inquiry from one of the European representatives about what could be done to improve matters, and hopes that suggestions for prompt rehabilitation of former combatants, along with economic and educational empowerment, will receive swift and effective assistance.

The immense efforts of the Attorney General's Department and the Legal Division of the Peace Secretariat regarding Witness Protection legislation and practice was appreciated, whilst the monitoring of possible violations in which many government agencies engage in made clear the sincerity of efforts to prevent abuses. Of course institutionalization of positive measures needs to be expedited, and assistance in this regard and in training programmes tailored to government requirements will be welcome. It was heartening that in discussions with Amnesty International the Minister was able to confirm that some measures they suggested had already been put in place. We hope that other concerns will be addressed soon, and look forward to the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN representatives who have been invited to Sri Lanka by HE the President, to discuss issues and take things further.

Given the range and intensity of diplomatic briefings, the delegation had only limited exchanges with human rights groups. These too were generally satisfactory.

The new representative of Human Rights Watch had unfortunately not been briefed about previous correspondence regarding issues raised by the organization in its earlier press release, but agreed to look into the question of the illegal activities of its principal researcher for its Sri Lankan report, who entered the country on a tourist visa.

Geneva Call, the reputed demining organization, which had had frank discussions in Sri Lanka a couple of months previously, had noted that there were allegations, albeit unsubstantiated, that Sri Lankan forces had engaged recently in mining. During discussion it confirmed that the allegations had been refuted. Contrariwise, allegations against the LTTE had been found valid. However Geneva Call believed that dialogue with the LTTE might lead to a policy change. The Peace Secretariat hopes that such a dialogue might increase the influence of those within the LTTE who are not in favour of the current approach that has made the demining process so difficult.

There was one unfortunate meeting, with the Secretary General of the International Commission of Jurists, who had made intemperate allegations against Sri Lankan officials, and could not bring himself to apologize even though the Australian expert on whose report he had based those allegations had written that he 'would categorically refute the suggestion in the Birnbaum Report…that there is a level of suspicion regarding deliberate substitution of an exhibit'. The ICJ Secretary General's contemptuous dismissal of his fellow Australian, on whose report he had earlier built up a preposterous case, is the best tribute to the integrity of a true Australian professional who strives for objectivity.

SCOPP also notes the more than cordial relations the Sri Lanka Mission in Geneva has developed with other missions there, and the respect in which the Head of Mission is held by the diplomatic community, many of whom warmly and openly expressed their appreciation of his work. The programme also benefited from the informed and dedicated commitment of all his staff, from Counsellors to Technical Assistants to Drivers, and their organizational capacity should be recognized in a context in which public sector reform is seen as necessary. Under current leadership there is no doubt that such young professionals will ensure that the Foreign Service will be able to continue in the grand tradition of diplomats such as Shirley Amerasinghe and Neville Kanakaratne, who combined intellectual brilliance with charm and suavity.

Rajiva Wijesinha
Secretary General
Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process

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