United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein declared that the next few months will be very important for Sri Lanka, as the government embarks on national consultations for the design of a comprehensive transitional justice process to implement the Human Rights Council’s resolution.
Delivering a statement at the 31st Human Rights Council’s session in Geneva on Thursday, Al Hussein underscored upon the importance for the comprehensive transitional justice process be conducted in an environment free of surveillance and intimidation. “So the voices of victims can be heard. Reports of violations must be promptly investigated and addressed,” he said.
Speaking further on Sri Lanka’s journey toward accountability, reconciliation and durable peace, Al Hussein noted that important steps have also been taken to reform the Constitution, revive independent institutions, and restore an environment for free expression and debate in the country.
“Powerful symbolic gestures of reconciliation have been made, for instance singing the national anthem in Tamil – although other steps, such as the release of land held by the military, reviewing the cases of security detainees, and resolving the issue of disappearances, need to move forward faster,” he told the session.
In October last year, a resolution was adopted on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, where the Human Rights Council encouraged the Government of Sri Lanka to investigate all alleged attacks by individuals and groups on journalists, human rights defenders, members of religious minority groups and other members of civil society; further encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to develop a comprehensive plan and mechanism for preserving all existing records and documentation relating to human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law; requests the Office of the High Commissioner to continue to assess progress on the implementation of its recommendations and other relevant processes related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights.
Analyst / March 11, 2016
We will see what happens !! If the Yahapalanaya fails to do as requested by the UN then SL will kiss the dust.
The crunch time??? Fellow Slankans!!
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sekara / March 11, 2016
You must be joking.
The main rule of the UN game is that the referee can move the goal post at will.
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Amarasiri / March 12, 2016
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
Why don’t you hgo after the Real Culprits and liars?
Are you blind?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRKEBAE_P5U&ebc=ANyPxKq0jJYFk8QlLNLcCUHdjUjsOmnguMwVToQwRfiRCk64gKfDRAhZaMXrrR4ErbQ_39ij9hmpvh5ACLALH3KxBEe5oWczyQ
The War You Don’t See [Topic: Propaganda
Published on Nov 24, 2014
The War You Don’t See – John Pilger investigates the media’s role in war. He traces the history of ’embedded’ and independent reporting from the carnage of WWI to the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Have you been fed the same media garbage but are you smart enough to do your own research and come to your own conclusions. Knowing, initially that what we are being told is not truth. That said, it’s very obvious that blame belongs to the U.S government and of couse Sri Lankan Govt for trying to dupe it’s citizens….but if no blame is thrown towards the simple minded people is that not an irresponsible oversight? I don’t think the average American or Sri Lankan is stupid…I think they don’t want or care to know the truth. Which in your opinion should be even worse
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Amarasiri / March 12, 2016
Analyst
“We will see what happens !! If the Yahapalanaya fails to do as requested by the UN then SL will kiss the dust.”
Then they will find Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) hidden in the hills especially at the Knuckle Range, Worlds End, Pidurutalagala, at the bottom of “Adams Peak”, now renamed “Atoms Peak” and offer the same courtesy offered Iraq with WMD.
Is it not cheaper or wiser to hand over ONLY Medamulana with its Chief inhabitant MaRa?
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Peter / March 12, 2016
“The voices of victims can NOT be heard. Reports of violations WII NEVER be investigated TO address ANY CRIMES TAHT ARE THE POLITICAL NORM”.
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Amarasiri / March 14, 2016
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein
UN Human Rights Chief Says Next Few Months ‘Important’ To Sri Lanka
DOUBLE STANDARDS WHO ARE THE CRIMINALS QUATAR AND SAUDI ARABIA- THE WAHHABI DEVILS AND THE GREAT SATAN AXIS POWERS
Why the Arabs Don’t Want Us in Syria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRB2pqiKhGg
Published on Feb 24, 2016
Robert Kennedy Jr., Hudson Riverkeeper/Waterkeeper Alliance joins Thom. On Saturday – a new ceasefire is set to go into effect in Syria. This could mark the beginning of the end of that country’s brutal civil war – but could it also mark the beginning of the end of America’s disastrous adventures in the Middle East?
For more information on the stories we’ve covered visit our websites at thomhartmann.com – freespeech.org – and RT.com. You can also watch tonight’s show on Hulu – at Hulu.com/THE BIG PICTURE and over at The Big Picture YouTube page. And – be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter!
“Robert Kennedy,Jr. has it right. Maybe cause everywhere we go we fucked everything up for the civilians by installing puppet dictators & arouse the religious extremists in their countries. example: Isis creation by Warcriminals W.Bush & Cheney. also Hassad is a U.S back dictator.”
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Marwan / March 11, 2016
When the HR UN Resolution against SL is not binding but only a recommendation to bring an acceptable settlement and foreclosure between both parties to the conflict, what more can you expect. In order to maintain neutrality and fairness UN recommends foreign judges in arbitration panel, which our own Field Marshal accepts as a good thing. But the rest of the country vehemently oppose such moves, based on the rational that the local judiciary is capable of dispensing equitable justice. When this matter was conveyed to Prince Zeid – Head of HR at the UN on his last visit to SL, his response was to the effect, it was OK with him, as long as the Tamil side can also agree to it. The pressure to keep to the UN Agenda was taken off in one fell swoop.
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Antany Peter / March 12, 2016
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s recent statements have created a dark day in Sri Lanka. It is clear Sinhalese have been divided successfully by the foreign powers. This will create a disaster for Sinhalese, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean and Asia. The foreign powers isolated wise people like us to use Tamil youths as terrorists and suicide bombers to achieve their own interests. The same foreign powers well and truly started to destroy Sinhalese as well. It is truly a sad day for Sinhalese and Sri Lanka.
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Amarasiri / March 13, 2016
Antany Peter
“Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s recent statements have created a dark day in Sri Lanka”
Many Dark Days were created in Sri Lanka from 1948 courtesy of Para-Sinhala Buddhists and Para-Tamils Hindus, based on the Para-Religions, in this case from India, especially during 1950, 1956, 1958, 1971, 1977, 1983, 2009, and 2014.
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka’s recent statements are trying to rectify, put them behind, and move on to the future as a nation.
The Sinhala Buddhists need to accept that they are Paras in the Land of Native Veddah Aerthho, based on evidence, just like the other Paras.
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len / March 11, 2016
[Analyst]
Annalise this no one gives a flying kite about do nothing Ban and his ban of merry men and women in the planet. Its a free meal ticket and globe trotting and few grants for selected few to keep the doners happy.
Did you see the photograph Ban sitting with uncomfortable face with his designer three piece suite in a hut with poor women that been raped by UN solders for a photo opportunity that one photo describes what UN is about all talk no bite. Can guarantee Analyst you will kiss the dust and be buried six feet under before Sri Lanka or any other country will kiss the dust because of UN.
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Vanguard / March 11, 2016
“Powerful symbolic gestures of reconciliation have been made, for instance singing the national anthem in Tamil”
You have to consider whether this symbolic gesture really helped reconcilliation. Is it singing it in Tamil or refusing to sing it in Sinhala that is important? We have to ask those who support this powerful symbolic gesture.
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Senthil / March 11, 2016
Zeid is correct, if affected Tamils are happy with internal investigation (affected Tamils, not sumanthiran who was hiding inside Singhalese during war or any Thamilarasu kadsi elected members). The reality is even after centuries Tamils will not trust Singhalese or forget shells & and bombs rain mixed with chemical heads by Gotha and his close assistants , may be they did not tell Sarath Fonseka and Gotha think that they have destroyed evidence with Lasantha & Ecniliagoda – fools, eventually the evidence will come to the surface. We like to live under one country but not under Singhalese because we do not want another Prabaharan or mass dead bodies. We can trust westerners but not any Asians.
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sekara / March 11, 2016
To find sensible answers, someone has to start being sensible.
Pompous declarations like “…even after centuries Tamils will not trust Singhalese or forget….” will take us nowhere.
Is Senthil a great soothsayer of doom?
The Tamil leadership painted itself into a corner by rejecting progressive Sinhalese and trusting neo-colonial masters to save them.
It is more important to begin building bridges between the sober elements of all nationalities.
People, to survive, learn to adapt. Let us create the environment.
If Tamils and Muslims can bury the hatchet in much of the Batticaloa district, why cannot Tamils and Sinhalese?
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Eusense / March 12, 2016
Wishful thinking.
Just wait till the US elections and until Trump is in. Hussein will have to go too.
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lal / March 12, 2016
He will go or stay will be decided by US, for sure. US decides for UNHRC and not UN’s Banki Puppet. The so called prince will head back to his tent if Trump wins, from where he will pursue his supposed passion for Camel racing.
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Ajith / March 12, 2016
Now Trump has become the Hero of Buddhist Sinhala Fundamentalists. Is Trump a Lion born Creature of Srilanka?
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Amarasiri / March 12, 2016
Senthil
“We can trust westerners but not any Asians.”
Have you hear about Western imperialism? Who brainwashed you?
1, Have you heard about the Great Game?
2. Have you hear about the Sykes-Picot agreement?
3. Have you heard about the Balfour Declaration?
4. Have You heard about the WMD?
5. Add to your list…
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justice / March 11, 2016
Do we have a totally impartial judiciary?
Can anyone certify this, and PROVE it?
If so, we do not need international jurists to assist inquiries into war crimes.
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sekara / March 12, 2016
Justice, with a name like yours, you should know that “impartial judiciary” is impossible, let alone the qualifier ‘totally’.
Certification and proof are necessary only when there is doubt.
There is a need for investigation of serious war crimes and human rights violations. The number of war widows, widowers and orphans in the North alone is sufficient to establish that the deaths are far more than any government will like to admit.
But to ask the International Killer Community to sit in judgment is foolish, as the IKC is not interested in justice anywhere. It is pushing its agenda. The Tamil leaders and their sidekicks imagine that they will gain some fringe benefit.
The fair-minded Sinhalese who are agreeable to an international inquiry will spend their energy more usefully to find a credible mechanism which will look into all war crimes committed irrespective of the offender and victim.
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justice / March 12, 2016
sekera,
You are confusing “international killer community” whatever it may mean, with international jurists of eminence who would be well suited to inquire.
Such jurists were invited earlier – and left in disgust at the way trials were conducted.
Sri Lanka knew whom to invite, when it sponsored the resolution.
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sekara / March 13, 2016
You should know very well whom I meant by IKC.
If you are truly dumb and not pretending, try this clue: remove one of the three words that forms the abbreviation ‘IKC’.
The IKC decides on the “international jurists of eminence” who will always play ball with the IKC.
Tell me one instance where such international jurists of eminence have delivered a verdict against imperialist cronies.
As you know, MR found international jurists of eminence to advise on inquiries. If MR knew whom to invite, would not MS not know? So whom are we fooling?
International inquiries have their script pre-written.
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Backlash / March 11, 2016
“Sri Lanka’s journey toward accountability, reconciliation and durable peace….” is being pursued by responsible leaders Ranil, CBK and Mangala. Aiyo Sirisena, as usual, sits on the fence. But the problem and the stumbling block, as usual, is the majority Sinhala extremist cabal. That mad-dog Thera Gnassara, surprisingly presented with a brand new Mercedes-Benz, is encouraged to raise the racial cry making inflammatory speeches that the ratings-hungry media broadcasts instantly. Meanwhile, the Govt. fools the UN and the world Sri Lanka has in place laws to prevent racial-religious bigotry and sedition.
Fortunately, the trio leading the regime has craftily brought in Fonseka – whose life’s ambition is to destroy the Rajapakse family. He has already agreed to international investigation. Clearly, he will do whatever he can to settle scores with Gota, MR, BR and the Rajapakse family. Fonseka is bad “medicine” to deal with and will give many nights of loss of sleep to the former Royal Family.
Backlash
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Agnos / March 12, 2016
Backlash,
By virtue of the fact Tamil people voted in large numbers for Fonseka and his other experiences being sent to prison by the Rajapaksa regime, I believe he has changed his attitude toward the Tamils. One positive thing I noted several months back is that he was supportive of releasing long-incarcerated prisoners who had been in the LTTE. So, as long as he has genuinely changed–just as the late Sobitha Thero was said to have genuinely changed from his days being associated with the likes of Cyril Matthew–, people should be OK with Fonseka.
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Backlash / March 12, 2016
Thanks Agnos. Sarath Fonseka is reported to have had a long grudge against Tamils. I am told his parents were teachers serving in the border areas. Sadly, it is understood they had to sometime stay away from home at nights – in fear of the LTTE. Sarath F then had sworn when he grows up he will join the army and settle scores. While his attitude and role in the 2009 events have to be seen in this context, I note he has in recent times he has changed. To see him shirtless, with red pottu in the forehead in deep prayer within the Nallur Kandasamy temple was comforting. Even that once anti-Tamil JVP (in its present decimated numbers) too have shed her anti-Tamil posture. I recall a VVIP telling me Weerawansa had pleaded for a place in his helicopter (around 2006) in a visit to Jaffna – because WW feared he would have got a somewhat hostile reception if he went there alone. Weerawansa remains an arch communalist, which is his only platform for a political position in our sick political system.
Tamils welcome this change on the part of some Sinhala laders. They are equally aware this change of mind in many cases, alas, is more for quid pro quo reasons. At least, it is undeniably so among political leaders. This VVIP tried to impress us, his friends at that time, with his changed Tamil stance but since then he, once again, became anti-Tamil and remains so.
I am afraid the late Sobitha Thero’s change of stance was more to win the Tamils in his campaign to oust the unpopular Rajapakses. It is not quire clear if this metamorphosis does in no way indicate a genuine Sinhala-Tamil rapprochement.
Backlash
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Agnos / March 14, 2016
Backlash,
“Sadly, it is understood they had to sometime stay away from home at nights – in fear of the LTTE. Sarath F then had sworn when he grows up he will join the army and settle scores.”
When SF was a kid, there was no LTTE; tensions between the two communities in the border areas did precede the LTTE. What I vaguely recall is SF said some people on the Tamil side threw stones at their buses and he became very angry about it.
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Antany Peter / March 11, 2016
By the way who supported indirectly the Asia’s longest brutal civil war for three decades by divide and rule strategy? Now who tells you that the voices of victims must be heard and reports of violations must be promptly investigated and addressed?
The West has developed its knowledge for the last seven centuries. It will continue to use the knowledge to impose its interests on others, in order to secure its dominant power. It will continue to use divide and rule strategy then the moral high ground, by pushing others through democracy and human rights. If you are not careful and watchful you will end up in a disaster as Arabs in the Middle East.
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K Sundaram / March 12, 2016
‘UN Human Rights Chief Says Next Few Months ‘Important’ To Sri Lanka’
‘Next Few Months’ – it is speculative forecast.
Even Mahinda Rajapakse used his forecaster – the astrologer, and failed.
Federal constitution is out! Transitional justice with international engagement is out!! Reducing the military might is out!!! Reparation for the victims of the war is out because the economy of Sri Lanka cannot sustain!!! Procrastination is the end game …. Navi Pillai went and Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein too will be gone and the judgement will be on the ashes of Mahina and Gota dissolved in the Kelani Ganga.
Sarath De Silva is laughing in his arm chair.
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KA Sumanasekera / March 12, 2016
Don’t worry mate ,
Our Yahapalana bosses are working their ass out to get the rest too, to bend over to you.
In fact any potential possible opposition to you are being locked up already and forced them to shut up.
Because ,Batalanada doesn’t want any disturbances and protests from the great majority of the inhabitants, when you White Judges in Hybrid Courts sentence war Winning soldiers.
And make way for Vellalas and the Wahabis to have their Federal Homelands.
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Abimanasigham Sitthawatthai Uthayakumar / March 12, 2016
Colombo Telegraph!
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra`ad Al Hussein presenting his annual report to the 31st session of UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Thursday mentioned about “the root of the past conflicts.”
He has said:
“if past human rights violations are not adequately addressed, grievances and other issues at the root of the past conflicts will continue to fester, and may even lead to their recurrence.”
Is it not very important in finding a political solution and drawing a new Constitution?
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Manicka Vasagar / March 12, 2016
SL is in the ring, they can only sink or swim in the mud. Too late now, accept, admit and surrender the culprits who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and get out now via UNHRC, and remove the army for UN duties and devolve full power to the Tamil Homeland peacefully. Live and let live with the Tamils, develop and prosper as two nations.
The other option is to pull down its people and the island and get submerged into the Indian Ocean.
Manicka Vasagar
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Senthil / March 12, 2016
sekara / Amarasiri, Thanks for your constructive comments. The fact is, we wanted Britain to clear the mess they have created by joining all three kingdoms into to avoid duplication of administration and they should have separated into three when they left. We always cry about divide and rule – they are able to do it to us because we are born modias. How you all think that Singhalese can resolve Tamils political issues which they could not resolve for the last 60 years. Sekara, look back the events from viping out Tamil villages near kanthalama, sathyakiraha, communal troubles etc. and ended up in Mullivaikaal with total destruction by using Tamils as ginipigs to test all nasty weapons and Tamils have nothing more to loose now, lost everything – Only option is to get help from Britain like Jews got Israel at the end.
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Mallaiyuran / March 13, 2016
Yahapalanaya government is backtracking its promises on Port City. So, it is the first full scale cheating that Ranil’s UNP did from the time it came to power. Media is casting a blind eye to that turn of events. One of the issues that costed the Old King his job was UNP’s Port City propaganda. From the time UNP came to power, we repeatedly wrote on these comments that UNP knowingly lied about the Port City matter and we kept stressed that eventually, when everything is subdued, UNP will be implementing the full Port City Project contract.
UNP is not ready to release the Tamil prisoners whom were falsely arrested as LETTers. Everybody in the universe knows that if the Sinhala Royal Governments could not come with evidence for 25 years, there is no way the prisoners are connected to any terrorism. By now, even members of the Rapist Army who arrested these people might have taken retirement and even possibly demised. But these people are suffering in the prison. We have seen Gobi’s murder, but the Yahapalanaya government refused to release Jeyakumari and her child when it came to power promising serving justice even for Tamils. It was the foreign embassies pressure that innocent child came out. But the activist Jeyakumari has been silenced by the occupying rapist army.
There is no meaning in categorizing the coming months as crucial to Lanka. There was every month has been crucial for Tamils from the day Wildlife Sanctuary SinhaLE received its freedom from British government.
Probably coming months may be crucial for America. Secretary Kerry who used the stomach pain medicine to cure Myanmar disease used the same medicine to Lankawe’s diarrhea. This has created excessive diarrhea in Lankawe. Yahapalanaya government, unlike old Royal Government did, instead of staying away from America it has artfully dodged America. Recently America has repeatedly accepted that the Yahapalanaya government’s progress is more than what is needed. The reason for American flip flop on this is only their face saving technique. In June 2016, Lankawe has to give only a progress report to UNHRC. In coming month the incumbent government in America must go away as per their constitution. New government will settle with new policies. Within this short while, the Obama government has no hold to fix the mistake it made in Lankawe. They have two options, one either select Manmohan Singh’s statement i.e “If tell to Sri Lanka, it is not listing, what can we do for that?” or select Robert Blake’s i.e “Gentlemen America has been cheated by Sri Lanka”. It is unlikely John Kerry’s State Department gives up its proudness and accepts a fault it did with its full knowledge of it was doing a blunder. That is why America is covering up its blunder the same way Yahapalanaya Government covered its debacle in Port City. The other one is falsely praising the New Royal Government that it has already honored the promise it gave at the UNHRC in September 2015. That is what the State Department has started to do.
When Ambassador Prince Zeid delayed the OSIL report that was due on March 25th, we wrote on these comments it was a permanently watering down of the UNHRC’s authority at least in Lankawe’s case. In September 2015 when it was presented, the 47 car criminals’ names were deleted and they were saved from UN electric Chair by Prince Zeid. In addition to that, America has helped the New Royals to replace the original wording with “Foreign and Commonwealth”. Now, in his last visit Prince Zeid agreed to give up even that. He has not just saved Old King’s team in March 2015, but in February 2016, he has released from the obligations of resolution the Yahapalanaya government signed at UNHRC in September 2015.
What Prince Zeid doing by saying that the coming months is crucial to Sri Lanka is he lowering him below Mangala and Kathirgamar. He is following the path of outrages liars of the “Lankan Foreign Minister” propagandist.
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Billa / March 13, 2016
Everything back to the same cesspit lankan rotten, festering racist politics.
There is no way Lanka can survive with all these suicidal games of race, religion mixed toxic cocktail political “folly” tricks !
MR,MS,RW et el, are the cream of wonderrrrful political jokers we ever had. They are all doing their part…taking down the country in the name of Sinhala-Buddhism to where it belongs..HELL ! Their karma will take everyone only to that destination.
Just forget about US, UK, or Price Zeid, as they will not do anything good for anyone. There is no light at the end of the tunnel and there will be nothing !
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