Sri Lanka raises voice in
support of Non-Aligned Movement's resolutions at Human Rights Council
Session
The Permanent Mission of
Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva
27th March 2008
H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Human Rights Council
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka Ambassador and Permanent
Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations at the Seventh Session
of the Human Rights Council prior to the adoption of the Resolution
titled "Composition of the staff of the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights", A/HRC/7/L.8/Rev.1.
"Mr. President, Sri Lanka urges that the sprit of this initiative
be recognized by all in this house. The spirit of the initiative which
Sri Lanka is supporting is not directed against the Office of the High
Commissioner. It is intended to strengthen the Office by strengthening
its credibility. It is intended to enhance the independence of the Office
of the High Commissioner.
Mr. President, we need an Office which will be a lighthouse of human
rights, a lighthouse whose beam plays across the horizon back and forth.
We do not need an Office which is opaque or indecipherable, standing
above us like Kafka's castle. This is why Sri Lanka supports the effort
to make the Office more authentically representative of regions and
peoples.
We believe that in so broadbasing the Office, in making it a more accurate
mirror of the planet, it will be able to discharge its functions far
more effectively and it will find itself a more greatly empowered and
authentically independent institution.
Not independent of some but dependent on others, but independent of
all above the fray and recognized as such universally. Thank you, Mr.
President."
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Seventh Session
of the Human Rights Council prior to the adoption of the Resolution
titled "Mandate of the independent expert on the effects of foreign
debt and other related international financial obligations of States
on the full enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social
and cultural rights", A/HRC/7/L.9.
"Thank you, Mr. President, Sri Lanka will support the text because
we do not agree with the criticism that much of the substance belongs
elsewhere. Mr. President, the Human Rights Council must not give up
the responsibility to examine human rights in a holistic manner. This
includes discussing the roots and context in which violations of human
rights take place.
Mr. President, we also know the famous divide between socio-economic
and cultural rights on the one hand and political rights on the other.
This is sometimes referred to as the distinction between individual
and collective rights. We believe that this text attempts to bridge
this divide.
It is a bridging exercise that is vitally necessary. Bringing together
the concerns of individuals and collectives, of North and South. For
this reason, Sri Lanka shall vote yes if it comes up for a vote. Thank
you."
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Seventh Session
of the Human Rights Council prior to the adoption of the Resolution
titled "Mandate of the independent expert on human rights and international
solidarity", A/HRC/7/L.12.
"Thank you, Mr. President, Sri Lanka intends to vote yes for two
very simple but very fundamental reasons. Mr. President, we know the
lamentable effects of the split between the three great slogans, the
triad of slogans of the French revolution: liberty, equality and fraternity.
One part of the world privileged one of the three terms, and another
part of the world, during the 20th century, privileged the other two.
We think that the triadic nature of the three goals should be emphasized
and we think this text by focusing on solidarity, brings back the dimension
of equality and fraternity, linking it with the great goal of liberty.
The second reason, Mr. President that we shall vote in favour is that
we remember the words, the phrase, of the late Pope John Paul II who
repeatedly spoke of the need for the globalization of solidarity. For
these two reasons Mr. President, we shall vote in favour. Thank you."
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