Entry to Sri Lanka has been denied to participants of an International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) high-level delegation which includes the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul, and the first UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Param Cumaraswamy.
Issuing a statement the IBAHIR said today;”The group has had its visas revoked officially, or de facto, notwithstanding the public assurance from Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Chris Nonis, on 30 April in a BBC interview, that representatives of IBAHRI ‘Are absolutely welcome to come in.’ And that ‘…if any institution is formally invited… naturally of course we would [let them in]’.
Gabriela Knaul
“The IBAHRI delegation was intending to travel to Colombo, to participate in a conference co- hosted by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the IBAHRI entitled ‘Making Commonwealth Values a Reality: the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Legal Profession’. More than 200 lawyers and diplomats are registered to attend the event, which aims to promote scrutiny and discussion on international Commonwealth obligations and values regarding the independence of the legal profession. The Conference is scheduled to take place on 13 November ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM: 14–17 November 2013) in Colombo where more than 50 Heads of Commonwealth countries will gather.
“Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, IBAHRI Co-Chair commented, ‘We deeply regret the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to deny entry of an International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute delegation for a second time.’ She added, ‘It is not so long ago that Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Nonis was on record saying that IBAHRI representatives would be allowed into Sri Lanka. It is very disappointing that such action has been taken to block entry, particularly as Sri Lanka is incoming Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, and host of CHOGM 2013.’
“The IBAHRI delegation had been issued visas from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo on 28 August 2013. On 30 October, the IBAHRI began to receive reports from Colombo that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not want the Conference to proceed and that IBAHRI delegates’ visas would be revoked or delegates would be blocked from entering Sri Lanka on arrival at the airport.
“On 31 October, the IBA’s Executive Director, Mark Ellis wrote to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, requesting full clarification on the status of all visas of the IBAHRI delegation. A response was not received. Another letter was sent to Dr Nonis on 1 November. On 6 November a letter was received from the Deputy High Commissioner, Neville de Silva, which stated there had been a Government decision to have ‘“an embargoed period” between 20 October and 20 November because of the forthcoming CHOGM 2013. The Ministry has said it is not in a position to facilitate any visits by foreign dignitaries, officials and others who would be participants at seminars and conferences during this period’
Sternford Moyo, IBAHRI Co-Chair commented ‘By denying entry to the IBAHRI delegation the Government of Sri Lanka is demonstrating to the world its determination to block freedom of speech and independent discussion in the country, leaving the Commonwealth Heads cocooned and isolated.’ He continued, ‘If the Commonwealth is to have any relevance in today’s world, it must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that Sri Lanka engages meaningfully with human rights.’”
RajasH / November 7, 2013
ha ha spat in the face of William Hague
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John Wayne / November 7, 2013
The White Man’s Burden has been embraced by brown Despot Mahinda Rajapakase, who is desperate for ATTENTION and distraction from the west and Euro-Amercian world that he claims to hate!
Rajapakse clearly loves WHITE ELEPHANTS such as the Colonial relic, the British Commonwealth of Clowns and Chinese Hambantot Port and Airport!
Voila the Miracle of Asia!
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Don Stanley / November 7, 2013
The Rajapassa grease yakka are putting a SECURITY cordon sanitaire around the CHOGM delegates and circus to prevent MASS PROTESTS and the reality showing through the sick and canned cultural PULP FICTION! The Sri Lanka film that was shown yesterday at the CHOGM film fest as first entry was PURE PULP compared to FLYING FISH which was banned by the regime.
Like a true ASIAN DESPOT written about by colonial authors Rajapassa is to name baby elephants after Commonwealth of Clowns heads of State. What a bloody embarrassment !
Seems that British colonialism which was about getting rid of Asian and African despots so that the white man could rule the world and exploit its resources, was better than Britain’s embrace of Asian Despots like the Grease Yakka Rajapassa, today! This CHOGM circus is a silly and EMBARASSING show with hundred of gyrating dancing girls in an endless and banal “cultural” pageant that shows the utter LACK OF CULTURE and education of the corrupt Rajapassa brothers and their cultural advisers!
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Carlo / November 7, 2013
With the security cordon sanitaire and city beautification and eighty plus ambulances and specially brought Mercedes Benz cars OVER KILL to take care of the CHOGM delegates, there is something pathetic and shameless about Rajapassa’s desperation to make the CHOGM circus – an old colonial relic of an organization which has NO purpose or justification to exist today – the greatest show on earth!
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Dodo / November 8, 2013
Reality check!
Contrast the gyrating dancing girls for Rajapassa’s CHOGM “cultural” pageant at the sinking Chinese Nelum Pokuna with the denial of visas for a conference on Human rights and the truth about the Commonwealth of Nations a.k.a. clown and is clear – the difference between SPIN and REALITY!
Commonwealth of Clowns should be SHUT DOWN!
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Point of View / November 7, 2013
Did you mean The Hague or William Hague ?
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PASEL / November 7, 2013
excellent move y the s.l gov and it shows we moving towards to dictatorship
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Dinuk / November 7, 2013
Universities have been closes to prevent PROTESTS. Colombo residents are already under LOCK DOWN with roads being closed for various idiotic security exercises before the British Commonwealth of Clowns beings..
There is MASSIVE SECURITY OVER-KILL – In democracies protests are standard but Protests are being blocked – shows the absence of democracy in reality despite the CHOGM hogwash about Civil Society Voices being heard and democratic values being “engaged”!
All CHOGM stands for is a BUNK and SPIN!
Thus we here “Ministerial sources said that the government wouldn’t want any visiting leader to experience a situation similar to that faced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in November 2010 and June 2012, in London.” Civil society will be under LOCK DOWN during the CHOGM circus in Colombo.
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Javi / November 8, 2013
“Universities have been closes to prevent PROTESTS…….will be under LOCK DOWN during the CHOGM circus in Colombo.”
Where there is a will there is always a way! Even in the UK the protest locations have been moved far away yet folk protest.
It only proves that Lankans are only good at slaughtering its own folk
and proclaiming themselves war hero’s of the world- ponna simions.
Gota “Booo”ts “Gooo”tha
0:3
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Max Silva / November 7, 2013
Damn good for refusing visas.These so called international outfits are creating problems in third world countries.Why don’t they visit countries such as Egypt,Afghanistan?It’s because it is their sponsors who abuse HR in those countries.These international outfits are the agents of the self appointed world cop,the USA.These crooked buggers got to understand that this is not a “free for all country”.When the defeated Tamil terror thugs were in full swing,these so called HR activists were in deep slumber.
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Carlo / November 7, 2013
Chris Silva is goon goat paying you still?
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Javi / November 8, 2013
“the self appointed world cop,the USA.These crooked buggers got” Croak-et, croak-rt! :)
Max vol the Amude,
You’ve buggered yourself since the UK is the mother of US.
Doesn’t surprise as Southern Sinhala Buddhist epicentre is of having sex with a lion and the surrounding incest monkeys.
Gota “Booo”ts “Gooo”tha
～k゜・_・゜k～ 0:3
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Max Silva / November 9, 2013
Thanks Javi.You did a superb job in washing my back ahead of the CHOGM.You got magical fingers.By the way you have been assigned to wash the private parts of the Ugandan delegation.Good luck!
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Nalla Thambi / November 7, 2013
Well done Sri lanka. Not to allow this Anti-Sri lankan BASL gang’s troop to the country. They want to insult Sri Lanka at this busy days.
We love Sri lanka. It is Great.
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demon silva / November 8, 2013
Nalla Thambi
you are a [Edited out]. Keep at it.
Gota’s arse is clean now because of you good worrk.
BTW your [Edited out]
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Saracen / November 8, 2013
Yes Nalla, and pigs can fly, the earth is flat and nuclear power is safe.
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WINTON DE VALLIERE / November 13, 2013
NALLA, YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING. THERE’RE STAINS OF ALL COLORS ALL OVER. HAD BREAKFAST AT THE TEMPLE TREES RECENTLY? MAYBE WITH THE SERVANTS IN THE KITCHEN ?
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Spring Koha / November 7, 2013
Another one bites the dust!
An assurance from Dr Chris Nonis is not worth a brass monkey. The ex doctor is after all a stooge of the government of SL and any intentions of sincerity are subject to the whims of higher forces.
I’d say don’t hold your breath on this one; then again, the Machiavellian moves of the GOSL are always capable of yet another twist.
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Michael / November 7, 2013
If a UN approved forum is blocked from conducting a peaceful forum within the confines of a premises i really cannot fathom how on earth this CHOGM could even be hosted by Sri Lanka. I can understand if this group was planning a demonstration , which ironically to this regime criminal or an act of treason. WILLIAM HAGUE over to you.
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Deshabandhu / November 7, 2013
Everything has a use by date and bound to decay, and MR, although his ignorance has made him think otherwise, is not a exception. We all are subject this universal truth. My concern is total lack of awareness of the dangers faced by the country by the people.
What matters most is to launch a campaign to instal a system of govt with total accountability to the people removing all immunities. The dictator role played by RW in the opposition, should open the eyes of all citizens, what if this man elected to the office of the president, it will be worst that the administration under MR.
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Safa / November 7, 2013
Maybe they should come as part of the British delegation for CHOGM.
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Javi / November 8, 2013
“as part of the British delegation”
It’s a can’t do won’t do situation （’-’*)
It’s all centred around a “white commonwealth” similar to Saudi Arabia & the ME.
Hail the despot Gota “Booo”ts “Gooo”tha.
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Lapatiya / November 7, 2013
Yes, that is one of the best decision taken by our Sanwedee, Nihathamani and Palapurudu Nayakaya after the decision of giving up GSP+
Actually we should not stop only denying Visa, we should check the possibility of sending a White Van or arrange some accident because no body can stop accidents.
According to reliable sources Tamil Diaspora and some powerful western nations are behind sending them to our Dharmadveepaya. We don’t need them as our “Jathiye Aadambarakara Thaththa” is capable of protecting our human rights.
If they have a wrong idea about our human right situation, Judiciary Independence, Media freedom etc. they should read Govt. Independent News Papers at least 5 – 10 times daily. If they want to know the truth about real Giant development work in the country they should listen to our Independent television channels every hour. If they are interested to know about current situation about UNP internal problems they should watch SIRASA and that Channel is doing a very important role to find a suitable Leader for UNP. Entire nation is grateful about SIRASA contribution to have a strong opposition and after that probably SIRASA will have to be closed as there duty is over.
Next time International Bar delegation should not forget to apply visa under “Casino Visa” category to avoid unnecessary problems. Even Wimal Weerawansa, Champika Ranawaka, Uduwe Dammaloka will be happy to receive you in our Dharmadveepaya. But please do not make any film’s like “White Van” after entering in to the country OK.
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Kalu Nangi / November 9, 2013
Ha…ha….nice one, Lapatiya..!! These are not ‘lapati katha’!
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Thondamanaru / November 7, 2013
Probably GOSL could issue a visa to Darusman…….the man who forgot to address the atrocities of his past political leaders but remains in a glass house & throw stones at others.
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AYMAN / November 8, 2013
WELL THIS IS SUFFICIENT REASON FOR BRITAIN TO BOYCOTT SUMMIT.
WHY BAR THIS INSTITUTION.
RAJAFUCKSES, IF YOUR “ARSES” ARE CLEAN, WHY NOT ALLOW EVERYONE TO COME AND SHOW IT.
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I am Sri Lankan Muslim / November 8, 2013
Ayman, Assalamu Alaikum, Please stop talking of these Monsters, its a waste of time…. Salam.
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Puranappu / November 9, 2013
It appears MR Is clueless about the tragic end of the headless people Saddam Hussain.
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BBS Rep / November 9, 2013
What is all this. Some kind of disinformation campaign.
I made inquiries with relevant authorities in Colombo. They are quite certain no official had revoked entry to members of IBAHIR. It will be really interesting to know where this disinformation originates.
The term ‘officially or de facto’ should get the bells of doubt ringing. But all are rushing in like bulls without ascertaining the facts.
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Katmai / November 9, 2013
Ha ha ha… being a BBS Rep you should know a thing a two about “rushing in like bulls” I suppose.
It amazes me how completely blind to the concept of fairness these hard-line Buddhists are. They can go around attacking people without any regard to facts but they want others to use facts before accusing them of anything. They have no qualms about their media institutions completely cutting off opposite points of view but want their views heard and their “right to reply” honored at any other media outlet. Like Hirunika Premachandra, they don’t give a damn about justice to anyone else until they are done wrong. Suddenly they want justice as if only they are entitled to it. Then they have the gall to say that everyone is equal before the law; yeah my foot.
This hypocrisy just makes my skin crawl.
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BBS Rep / November 11, 2013
Katmal,
I do agree and ashamed at what some of our members do. BBS was started with another agenda. But some ‘Bulls’ like you say have hijacked our agenda. They are powerful and have close association with politicians. But there is a group within BBS who try to do the right thing and to steer our work to spreading Buddhas message. But often we are powerless to steer the steer in the right direction.
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Lapatiya / November 9, 2013
@Bodu Bala Sales Rep.
What our Bodu Bala Salesman says is correct as we also checked with Prof. G.L Peiris and he said he never instructed anybody to revoke Visas of International Bar delegation and he asked us to please check with his Boss Sajin Vaas Gunawardana. When we asked him about this he said he is a ardent follower of A(M)hinda chinthanaya and he never instructed anybody to revoke the visas of this Bar delegation. He also further said to check with his Junior, Prop. G.L Peiris about this unpleasant incident. Sajin Vaas is a very kind and co-operative Politician and he further instructed us to check with Keheliya Rambukwella to get some information about this. we tried to contact him but failed as we were told that he is playing his usual favorite game “Kotu Panilla” in Jaic Hilton.
Actually our further verification proved that “no body” has instructed to revoke the Visas of this Bar delegation.
Lasantha Wickramatunga and 32 others killed and “no body” has instructed to kill them.
Prageeth Eknaligoda and many others disappeared and “no body” has instructed to abduct and disappeared them.
SIRASA, SITATHA and Lanka e News office set on fire and “no body” has instructed to destroy Media stations.
Ranaviru Forces killed 3 in Waliweriya, Roshen Chanaka in Katunayaka, Anthony Fernando in Halawatha but “no body” ordered Ranaviru forces to kill them.
Country has lost many billions with Hedging deal, Greek Sovereign bond investment loss, Loss on Low quality Diesel, petrol and aviation fuel imports but “no body” responsible for such losses.
Many Journalists were assaulted and “no body” responsible for that.
I think now we have to find who this “no body” is to solve all these problems, crimes.
Also we assure you that our Saddrmadveepa Chakrawarthi doesn’t know anything about this revoking visas of International Bar Delegation.
Like our Bodu Bala Salesman says all these are disinformation campaign against our country and Tamil Diaspora and Powerful western nations are behind this misinformation campaign. Also this is part of an International conspiracy against our Dharmadveepaya.
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BBS Rep / November 11, 2013
Hello Lapatiya,
You do make some valid points. I agree there is poor government accoutability.
But I personally did not apportion blame on the matter of visas for IBAHRI, on the Tamil Diaspora or Powerful Western Countries. I have no evidence to make such a claim. It could be even an individual.
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Katmai / November 9, 2013
May be many people are not recognizing the strategy here but Mahinda Rajapaksa is doing his best to force an International Inquiry on War Crimes.
You might think this is silly, but do you really think he can hold his own inquiry on his own army? NO! Can he ask for an International Inquiry? Hell NO!!! The only option is to act like a real despot so that the international community will force an inquiry on Sri Lanka.
Believe me, there will be an International Inquiry soon. What Rajapaksa is hoping is that it will come before the Presidential Election so that he can look like the hero to these stupid people. All the opposition will have is a Western conspiracy to blame on while Rajapaksa looks coasts to another victory.
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Mahela / November 15, 2013
Looks like CHOGM is becomming SHOGAM
http://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Total_War_Shogun_2
Enjoy the show with Pop Corn and soda.
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