Who influenced SL in taking decisions at UNHRC?

by Staff Writer 26-03-2019 | 9:00 PM
Colombo (News 1st): Who influenced Sri Lanka in taking decisions at the United Nations Human Right Council? Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawamsa expressed his views at the parliament today (March 26), when the expenditure heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was taken up for debate. He noted that Britain who looted Sri Lanka is trying to teach the country human rights. Co-sponsoring UNHRC Resolution In 2015 the government co-sponsored UNHRC resolution 30/1 which commits Sri Lanka to ‘establish a judicial mechanism with a special counsel to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law'. It affirms a credible justice process should include independent judicial and prosecutorial institutions led by individuals known for their integrity and impartiality. However, in 2019, the Foreign Minister responding to the UNCHR report on resolution 30/1 stated, ‘The Government of Sri Lanka cannot enforce a hybrid court system in accordance with the constitution of the country". However, the 2019 40/L resolution notes that the country must commit to all proposals in resolution 30/1, which included the establishment of a hybrid court. Reactions in Parliament Speaking at parliament UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa said that Minister Thilak Marapana during his speech at the Human Rights Council in Geneva stated that a hybrid court cannot be established as such an establishment goes against Sri Lanka's fundamental laws. MP Weerawansa thanked him for making such a statement, however, in a twist of fate, the proposal brought up by Britain says that it has been agreed to establish hybrid courts. He noted that the USA withdrew from the UN human rights council, claiming it to be a refuse pit. The MP pointed out that there were plenty of opportunities to withdraw from the second resolution. UPFA MP Mahinda Samarasinghe noted that on the 20th, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Thilak Marapana made a testament at the UNHRC in Geneva that Sri Lanka will not accept the resolution to establish a hybrid court in the country and that a hybrid court goes against the country's constitution. However on the 22nd Sri Lanka raised thier hands at the vote and this states that we accept the UN High Commissioner's report. MP Samarasinghe noted that a copy of the letter has been sent to the Secretary of the Foreign Ministry and a letter has been sent requesting to co-sponsor the resolution. Therefore, he said when such a letter is sent, the ambassador has no other option than to act in this regard. He noted that this will take place on the 25th and the High Commissioner's report will be presented on April 8th. He pointed out that the 14th of April will be the final date to submit the resolution. He said that if they did not panic over this matter, they could have been patient and analyzed the report that is to be submitted on the 8th, shown this report to the President, and they could have informed other co-sponsor countries, that Sri Lanka will not permit the inclusion of this chapter. UPFA MP Keheliya Rambukwella also making a statement regarding the matter noted that they have agreed to this, by violating the fundamental laws in this country. He noted that if so, Minister Thilak Marapana, who is taking this agreement forward, must be held accountable for violating the fundamental laws. He said, on one hand, they present a resolution, the resolution that was presented in 2015, is submitted once again with five main countries. MP Rambukwella pointed out that after submitting the resolution we say that we do not agree to the content of it.