By S. V. Kirubaharan –
S. V. Kirubaharan
It is just a few weeks since the UN Human Rights Council – UN HRC completed its 28th session. While some are relaxing, others are worried, some have mixed feelings and many of us are disappointed and frustrated!
There are many reasons for our disappointment and frustration. One reason was obvious to the High Commissioner for Human Rights – HCHR, the President of the UN HRC and others. This was the fact that the investigation report on Sri Lanka, expected to be out during the 28th session, was postponed to the 30th session. From top to bottom all could see the determination of the HCHR that the report should be out in August.
Another reason for our disappointment and frustration was the speech made by the External Minister of Sri Lanka. There are many questions and doubts raised by his speech in the UN HRC on 2nd March, but I highlight one of the points made by the Minister with the intention of creating tension between the peace-loving Tamils and the Tamil-speaking Muslims in the Eastern province.
Mangala Samaraweera is a man of “cunningness” and “venom”. He deliberately said in his speech that, “In the predominantly Muslim Eastern Provinces, President Sirisena polled 71.84%….” Mangala Samaraweera has been in politics for so long that he cannot be ignorant of the statistics of the population in the Eastern Province. This proves that even though he speaks about “ethnic harmony”, he is for “ethnic tension”.
A prominent Muslim Lawyer from the Muslim Congress and Mayor of Kalmunai, Mr Nizam Kariapper was attending the same UN HRC and made a speech in one of the NGO briefings. He never endorsed Mangala Samaraweera’s bogus claim about the Muslim population in the Eastern province.
Diaspora members
If one looks at the activities of Mangala Samaraweera, one will understand that this gentleman has a double tongue and is manipulative. Members of the diaspora who have only known him for a very short period, proudly wine and dine with him. They should not ignore the fact that this is the man who portrayed the Tamil political struggle as terrorism to the world. He played a major part in destroying the Tamil struggle.
Tamara Kunanayakam
The other reason for us to be worried was the speech made by the United Kingdom in the UN HRC, under agenda item – 2. The UK representative said the following, “…The extra time will create an opportunity………. and make credible domestic progress on the crucial matters of reconciliation and accountability.” Tamil activists present in the UN HRC asked the UK delegation about that speech and were given the answer: “just ignore it”! What does that mean? In an international forum, especially in the UN, words are not expressed in order to be ignored. Speaking the Queen’s English, it couldn’t have been a grammatical mistake on their part.
When we analyse the outcome of our lobby with various government representatives, we understand that the UK is paving the path for the present government to undertake a domestic inquiry. In other words, sooner or later the Tamils victims will be taken for a ride.
While Mangala Samaraweera’s speech and the UK’s statement made us disappointed and frustrated, another bombshell fell, in an Amnesty International briefing held on Sri Lanka, during the same session of the UN HRC.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International organized a briefing on Wednesday 11th March 2015 in Hall XIX, between 12 and 1.30pm. This was chaired by the Amnesty International Geneva representative, Mr Peter Splinter. Quite a large crowd attended this meeting.
Perhaps I should ignore something lacking in the way Amnesty International organised this meeting, or should we consider that the glaring gap among the panellists was never even realised by Amnesty International. Anyway, when it comes to Tamil victims, it’s a long term issue with many International NGOs.
As soon as the panellists finished their speeches, the floor was opened for questions and comments! As usual, one of the most racist organizations in Switzerland, ‘International Buddhist Foundation – IBF’ took the floor and made racist remarks for more than five minutes. Peter Splinter had the greatest difficulty in stopping this speech. In response to what was said by IBF, I took my turn and gave them a reply on the spot.
Then a veteran NGO activist in Geneva, Mr Adrian C Zoller, took the floor and broke a silence lasting many years, disclosing very important information which profoundly shocked many of the audience.
Since 1990, we, the Tamil Centre for Human Rights, have worked with many mandate holders, despite many difficulties including the Sri Lankan government constantly slinging mud at us. We have given much confidential information, accompanied by affidavits sent to us by victims or their kith and kin.
Thousands of files destroyed!
The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances – WGEID was one of the working groups which we, TCHR, worked very closely with, submitting hundreds of individual petitions and information since 1990. Even personally, I handed over many affidavits to then Secretary of WGEID, Ms Tamara Kunanayakam.
Adrian Zoller openly said in this meeting that while Tamara Kunanayakam was working as the Secretary to the WGEID, she had destroyed thousands of cases of disappearances on Sri Lanka and in return she became an Ambassador to Sri Lanka.
One cannot ignore Adrian C Zoller’s comment! He is a well reputed NGO worker, known to everyone in the United Nations in Geneva for a long time.
The whole hall fell silent when they heard this shocking news. In fact, I have several doubts about the cases that we the Tamil Centre for Human Rights – TCHR submitted to the WGEID. One question is, how can Sri Lanka remain 2nd to Iraq, in terms of largest number of disappearances, after all the many different activists working on Sri Lanka submitted so many cases of disappearances to the WGEID? For example, we submitted a detailed list of the people who disappeared in Jaffna and were buried in the Chemmani mass graves. What has been the development on these cases?
While Tamara was working with the WGEID, I saw her having secret meetings with members of the Sri Lanka delegation in the corridors and nook and corners of the UN building. Anyone who has good knowledge of body language could easily understand that there was something fishy about those meetings.
After the Amnesty International briefing, I met Adrian Zoller and had a chat. He explained many facts to me, in detail. He told me that this is a long story and he has written an article on this issue in a human rights journal known as “Human Rights Features”. Also Adrian told me that, as a consequence of all this, in 2003, the President of the WGEID was compelled to resign and so many other things have taken place.
UN WGEID has a duty
We have had some difficulty in tracing the cases we submitted to the WGEID. One of the reasons was that since Mahinda’s regime came into power our archives were transferred to various locations and some important files were stolen by some Tamil stooges.
Another reason was that my flat in Paris was ransacked in June 2013 by so-called unknown persons and the French Police could not trace the culprits. I have written about this incident on 1 January 2014, under the title, “Come on Gotabaya HRC Geneva Welcomes you”. In that article I said the following, “Now let me come to something which happened to me which is no more a secret or personal. Some unknown people entered my flat in Paris and played hell in my absence. Are you trying to say that you don’t know the people who did this?” (Excerpts)
Adrian Zoller’s public statement leads us to fear that many of the cases that we submitted to the WGEID during Kunanayakam’s time were never processed.
I am well aware of the problems between Kunanayakam and Samaraweera. As far as we are concerned both are on the side of human wrongs. So I have no intention of slinging mud at Kunanayakam, taking the side of Samaraweera. I am very well aware that she is in the process of taking legal action against Samaraweera.
Here I am writing what Adrian Zoller said in a public forum during the 28th session. The audience in this meeting included a representative from the Sri Lankan delegation, IBF representatives and many other activists.
We strongly believe that at least now, the WGEID has a duty to look into this accusation by Adrian C Zoller regarding Tamara Kunanayakam’s deletion of files on disappearances in Sri Lanka. WGEID should look into this matter before they make their visit to Sri Lanka. If Kunanayakam really destroyed the cases of disappearances in Sri Lanka – the OHCHR, HCHR, WGEID and the whole UN system is answerable to the victims, regarding this barbaric and criminal act.
This article may give an opportunity for old friends, Mangala Samaraweera and Tamara Kunanayakam to be united again on the basis of ‘human wrongs’ and ‘cover-ups’.
dcn / April 4, 2015
Ms.Tamara Kunanayagam needs to explain her position . She has had a dual role as Secretary of WGEID and later on the opposite side, as Ambassador of SriLanka. In the meanime she is accused of destroying many files re disappearances, which if true is very mischievious on her part.
/
Lanka Liar / April 6, 2015
One role she too as Tamara Kunanayakam the second one as Tamaram Kunanayaka
/
justice / April 4, 2015
Tamara K, was a christian activist for human rights and spoke on the atrocities visited on tamils in Sri Lanka – she was called a ‘terrorist’ by JRJayawardene.
Later she met Mahinda Rajapakse who made her sri Lankan ambassador to Brazil – her views radically changed thereafter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Kunanayakam
/
len / April 5, 2015
If this turn to be true Hilary Clinton will head hunt her for top post with her yet to be announced Presidential campaign team.
/
Ravi Perera / April 4, 2015
Kiruba,
“Mangala Samaraweera is a man of “cunningness” and “venom”. He deliberately said in his speech that, “In the predominantly Muslim Eastern Provinces, President Sirisena polled 71.84%….” Mangala Samaraweera has been in politics for so long that he cannot be ignorant of the statistics of the population in the Eastern Province. This proves that even though he speaks about “ethnic harmony”, he is for “ethnic tension”.”
Mangala is no different to most politicians. He is much better than your thalaivar, the card board hero who surrendered to the Army.
As long as you Tamils have ambitions to control the East we Sinhalese will always like to keep the Muslims against the Tamils. In any case Muslims are likely to throw in their weight behind the Sinhalese when it comes to a crunch, as they know they will any given day get a better deal from us than you Tamils.
MR lost mainly because of the muslim votes, thanks to BBS boroowas. If the muslims in the east and the rest of the country had voted for MR he would never have lost.
You blame Managala for potraying the Tamil stuggle as a terrorist stuggle. First do a critical analysis as to why your terrorist /freedom stuggle fail. First come up with demands you can justify in the eyes of the international community or else build a strong military force, so you do not have to care about international opinion.
[Edited out]
/
CHOLAN / April 4, 2015
he he he card board leader????
Why the hell on earth your cardboard presidents couldn’t surrounded him using their mighty sinhala army for 30 years ….
So your pathetic Sinhala army waited for the help from India with prohibited chemical weapons and 36 another countries to silence them..
The truth is your Sinhala arms has no brain or muscle to face them …this is the history
Shame on you still you called this fake..borrowed ..artificial incident as a greatest victory of Sinhala army and dance for free liquor???
This author had ad over 24 years experience at UN in Geneva and knows the nook and corners and all movements there you are like a mosquito hiding somewhere and writing comments …??
About this Tamara who has sold here own Tamils without conscious just for a Ambassador post like one Kadirkamar…this women has justified the rapes of her own Tamils at the world forum …Now she is tasting her own medicine from her Sinhala masters …
Do you think you can buy Tamils like your favorite muslims for few cabinet posts and cash ?
Poor Muslims for their blind support to Sinhala state they got a big gift at Aluthgama ..and many places in South.
All these years when Tamils were suffering these Muslims never raised their voice ….now they are at the gate of UN asking justice …what a joke ..
Do you want Tamils to shut their mouth and buy your canards ….just few years ago this Samarasinghe justified the massacre at UN and after crossing the side he is talking about his ex-boss —people at UN are not idiots to believe this… understand?
Even the President of Kenya Mr.Kenyatta has got the courage to visit the ICC and explained his side…Why your Murderpakse is shivering when he hear the name ICC…like a coward??
Next stop ICC PRISON AT THE HAGUE
/
Weerawansa / April 4, 2015
“Mangala is no different to most politicians. He is much better than your thalaivar”
“surrendered to the Army”
“MR lost mainly because of the muslim votes,”
Ravi Perera, all given above doesnt make any sense to a person of neutrality. You are another ONE SIDED MAN or WOMAN.
In your comment you could not denied the damaged what was done by a Tamil woman to the Tamils.
When people like you are to justify all sort racial comments, how we think of united Sri Lanka. Stop thinking in this line and put you thoughts on Ethnic carmony!
You will divide the country sooner or later.
Kiruba is man of international reputation and neutrality at least after May 2009. So dont play with a fire.
/
Native Vedda / April 7, 2015
Weerawansa
“You are another ONE SIDED MAN or WOMAN.”
He/she is a Sinhala speaking Demela.
/
cholan / April 4, 2015
You saw him surrendering to your SL army who couldn’t locate his place over 30 years …remember they have managed to silenced them– (not finished) –because of poverty India`s help plus 36 countries…
30 years why your army couldn’t touch them ????
There was a photo of a guy with full shave ….it seems he went to the barber shop before died .. all danced for free liquor on streets …why no death certificate to this day … even a faked one ???
This writer is right he knows UN activities upside down….
Tamara is a shame for the Tamils even she has justified the masscare of her own people at world forum ……this is what your Sinhalease wanted …but world opinion is different….she is also a war criminal now
Next stop ICC at The Hague for your ex-boss & Co.,
/
Piranha / April 4, 2015
Mr Perera,
MR lost because a large percentage of Sinhalese who voted for him before voted for Sirisena this time and not because of the tamil or muslim vote.
The stupid muslim politicians are well aware that the successive Sinhala regimes have used the muslim population to gain power and to divide the ethnic minorities to reduce their power. The sad thing is that the muslim people kept voting for these corrupt thieves and at the end suffered badly at the hands of the Sinhala regime backed Buddhist thugs like the BBS and Sinhala Ravaya.
It appears that you are yearning for your beloved leader, the despotic mega thief and saviour of the Sinhala race, Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa. All you have to do is join the other racist scoundrels Weerawansa, Dinesh, Dayan and Gammanpila and campaighn for his return to power so that he could plunder the national coffers more and bring back his dictatorial rule. That is what you and your sorry ilk deserve.
/
Ravi Perera / April 5, 2015
Mr Piranha,
“The stupid muslim politicians are well aware that the successive Sinhala regimes have used the muslim population to gain power and to divide the ethnic minorities to reduce their power. The sad thing is that the muslim people kept voting for these corrupt thieves and at the end suffered badly at the hands of the Sinhala regime backed Buddhist thugs like the BBS and Sinhala Ravaya.”
Successive sinhala regimes used not only the Muslims but the sinhala people too.Muslims voted for thier people in the UNP and SLFP in the sinhala areas and mainly Muslim congress in the East. Not only the Muslims even a large section of sinhala people voted for the muslims. You seem to be sad about the sufferings of the muslims at the hands of the BBS thugs. why the sudden U turn ?
The sufferings of Muslims at the hands of BBS Booruwas is nothing compared to their sufferings at the hands of the LTTE.
Just as much as you need Muslim -Tamil unity for your advantage(Not for the love of Muslims), we like to see you guys being divided for our advantage.
“It appears that you are yearning for your beloved leader, the despotic mega thief and saviour of the Sinhala race, Percy Mahendra Rajapaksa.”
As I have said many times before I am no fan of MR. But I do respect him for eliminating the LTTE terror, which colourful characters like Gamini Dissanayake/Lalith Athulathmudali could not do.
/
Native Vedda / April 5, 2015
Ravi Perera Sinhala speaking Demela
“Successive sinhala regimes used not only the Muslims but the sinhala people too.”
What were the Sinhalese thinking when they voted for Sinhala/Buddhist regimes, perhaps eight measures of free rice all the way from moon? A promise to kick the minorities more frequently and harder than ever before would usually deliver the desired outcome.
/
Ravi Perera / April 5, 2015
[Edited out]
/
Native Vedda / April 5, 2015
Ravi Perera
“[Edited out]”
Thank you for your brilliant comment. Keep up your good work for the sake of the country. Hopefully the country and people will benefit and progress, after reading your above comment.
/
Native Vedda / April 4, 2015
Ravi Perera the Sinhala speaking Demela,
“First do a critical analysis as to why your terrorist /freedom stuggle fail.”
Isn’t it obvious that VP won the war for MR, vastly helped by Hindians? VP won two elections for MR, one induced by MR’s illegal payment and the other by losing the war.
No VP No win for MR.
/
Waran / April 6, 2015
Hi Ravi Perera You are not better than the BBS boroowas. Are you a racist? Do you also hold a membership with the BBS? People like you are still bent on destroying the Srilankan Nation, which is struggling to build a respectable face after disposing MR. From 1948 to date people’s leaders like DS,SWRD JR, CBK, and MR carried out the destruction of the Ceylonese Nation build by British, The Srilanka started off as a broken nation by 1972. Do you want Magala, Ranil, CBK and Sirisena to continue the destructions to satisfy morons like you with “Mahavamsa mind set”. Srilanka’s mounting tragedy of errors are due to people like you and Dayan so called Marxist and an elitist. Get out of your box and analyses the situation in SL Probably, you are one of those who had been seeking asylum in the west by blaming LTTE,as for your economic migration. If this is true, then it is a Shame on you and people like you.
/
Crazyoldmansl / April 4, 2015
Kiru, you obviously know nothing about the Tamara DJ show that began long long ago when a foolish old king allowed a sneaky supposedly red snake allegedly on the run from its hunters into his castle thinking it was a prince thus allowing the snake to have a go at the princess in his tower. The cunning serpent beguiled the stoopid princes and this began one of the most sordid episodes in the history of your equally stoopid people of Thamil Eelam.
/
kanan / April 4, 2015
Mr Ravi perera one thing you dont forget that Prabha death not confirmed. Death certificate not issued to India so far in Ragiv case. Muslim are not a part of of Eelam and they always support Singales that tamil and politicians know this. Sri lankan army won the war with the support of several foreign countries also india was directly involved. once eelam established (May be dream for you) please see how fighting would go on ?
/
Native Vedda / April 5, 2015
kanan
“Mr Ravi perera one thing you dont forget that Prabha death not confirmed. Death certificate not issued to India so far in Ragiv”
It is a matter for Hindia to demand and Sri Lanka to provide.
By the way VP surrendered to war criminals, had his bum explored with hot iron rod, then was hacked to death.
” Sri lankan army won the war with the support of several foreign countries also india was directly involved.”
Actually VP won the war for MR.
How did your all knowing sun god manage to make enemies out of friends, uniting 30 diverse countries into a great coalition of the willing?
/
Ebahtog / April 4, 2015
Adrian Zoller, you have spoken a lot accusing Tamara Kunanayakam of deleting files on disappearances in Sri Lanka and you now say WGEID has a duty to look into this accusation, but do not provide any documentation to support your claim. Surprising!. Certainly, I am not protecting TK but just using my common sense.
/
Nihal / April 4, 2015
I am not protecting TK but just using my common sense. Yes you are write, you are trying to justify her!
You ask Knishka Senevaratne, Secretary of the External Ministry about TK activities in Geneva. She has a list to relate you.
/
Silva / April 4, 2015
Kiruba
You should be awarded with nobel prize for bring these confidential matters into public.
Can you arrange Mr Adrian C Zoller, to write about this story in the CT.
We are also for human rights and we would like to bring this matter to people like President Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremasinge.
As You said, the Minister of External Affairs is worried about batchelors than any issues! This may be the reasons he may have found some diapora members who can serve his purpose.
/
Pygmalion / April 4, 2015
Ravi Perera.
Your line…As long as you Tamils have ambitions to control the East we sinhalese will always like to keep the Muslims AGAINST THE Tamils…….
This is precisely what the Sinhalese accused the British:Divide and Rule.
Anyway,this is is quite old fashioned,and the Muslims are not fools to swallow this sinhala medication!
/
ravi perera / April 5, 2015
Muslims will not swoll
ow sinhala medication.they will gladly swollow tamil medication. Gladly awaiting the return of lLTTE
/
Sinnathamby / April 4, 2015
Oh my GOD, I can’t sleep for another few years.
What has this women did for those Tamils disappeared in Chemmani. Has she got heart? Is she really a Tamil?
Even a monster will not things in this manner.
UN Do answer this call. We can’t keep silent on these issues.
/
Mahes / April 4, 2015
This not a bomshell, it is a Nuclear shell on Tamils.
/
Plato. / April 4, 2015
Tamara Kunanayagam has a Jaffna Tamil father and an Indian Tamil mother from Badulla.Educated at Ladies college.
Centre of controversy. Accused by both Sinhala and Tamil sides!
Another person in the controversy is Mangala Samaraweera-Minister of Foreign affairs who has a dubious reputation within the country.
Do the people of this country deserve these types?
/
jain / April 4, 2015
Kiru is [Edited out] man and he cannot talk about human rights at all in the first place. He used a human right mask to represent Tamils in HU forums. He should be investigated first for his association with the LTTE. Let him first put up a single shred of evidence that he ever raised his voice against the mass murderer pirapakaran and his terror outfit that played with the lives all the races ,religions and creed.
/
Devan / April 5, 2015
Members of the diaspora, who have only known him for a very short period, proudly wine and dine with him.
Mr. S. V. Kirubaharan,
ARE YOU REFERING TO SUREN SURENTHIRAN OF GTF WHO MET PRESIDENT SIRISENA AND HIS MINISTER MANGALA SAMARAWEERA IN THEIR HOTEL IN LONDON?
This is the latest Tamil [Edited out] that diaspora Tamils have produced.
[Edited out]
/
Rajiv / April 5, 2015
Kiruba,
What I can’t understand is how you or your organization didn’t keep any records of these files. With computers, scanners and all and in the year 2013, its rather unbelievable these docs were not protected or copies made. Very conveniently, you say you were robbed in Paris or all places. When you transferred your archives, did you not keep copies.
Looks like a great story for another round of fundraising.
/
Danielle / April 5, 2015
Rajiv don’t worry about fund raising.
They never came to you in the past, if they do, they will not come to you even in the future.
Dont rush!
You advice your friend Tamara to take Kiruba to courts and then you may see all the evidence coming up!!
Look before you leap
/
Silva / April 5, 2015
Rajiv
We have seen fools but not a fool like you.
No wonder that you have resigned your position as the Minister of Higher Education.
There are two things in S. V. Kirubaharan’s article.
One is Tharmara deleted the record on disappearances while she worked with the UN. Your comment is so obvious that you agreed that Tamara deleted those records.
Secondly your foolish question, why S. V. Kirubaharan’s didn’t keep a copy, after all Computer, scanners and all in the year 2013.
First of all he didn’t say in any part in his article that it took place in year 2013.
In your comment itself you find your answer.
It shows that you didn’t read this article properly.
S. V. Kirubaharan clearly says that there is a difficulty in tracing those but he never said he can’t find those at all.
He says clearly that “We have had some difficulty in tracing the cases we submitted to the WGEID.”
By reading your comment, the conclusion is that you are not fit for any political work. You better return back to University as Professor for English literature does more mess up in the University.
Can’t you call for a press conference on this matter along with Tamara, justifying that Tamara didn’t delete any records while she was in the UN.
/
Opportunistic / April 5, 2015
This lady TK is like a criminal lawyer.
You give them a case with a very good rate and other benefits/opportunities then they would work for your case.
It doesn’t matter you as a client is a victim or not.
There aren’t any moral issues involve with their services.
So don’t have any hard feelings with the history of her professional services to her clients.
/
pakis pettiya / April 5, 2015
Unable to accept defeat of self appointed Sun God Thavailar Velu from VVT,these foreign Tiger emigrants seek hate and war in sri lanka.
/
Pacs / April 5, 2015
In my knowledg The UN and IOM has done and continue to do wrongs. It can not be trusted. Tamils has no one to trust and nowhere to Go.
/
Japwatch / April 5, 2015
So it is the Tamils like Tamara, Thiru Nadesan, KP, Karuna… Who have been aiding and abetting the Rajapaksasas to elevate them in this position and to show them ways to make money illegally. What does that say about the Tamils?
It is a fact that the Tamils mentioned above have a common thing, they are not the pure Tamils due to their parentage. If one of the parents are from the estate tamil segment then they are not accepted by the mainstream Tamils. That is not surprising. It is the same in China. Mainland Chinese do not give equality status to other chinese.
Another important thing: a representative from Modis office mentioned in a tv interview that the estate Tamils are tribal people. And that it is a different issue which need not be given importance at this time. You can contact the TV station for archives.
So my question again is how come it is the other Tamils who are behind the rajapaksas terror era? Ofcourse, the main consideration is the monetary benefits but other than that?
/
mel / April 5, 2015
Tamils are [Edited out].
/
human Rights Activist / April 6, 2015
Tamara, MR, And Gota will live in separate cells at that Hague.
So no problems in the future.
/