28 March, 2024

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UN Rights Council: Sri Lanka Vote a Strong Message for Justice

By Colombo Telegraph –

(Geneva) – The United Nations Human Rights Council’s adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka demonstrates strong international support for accountability for abuses committed in Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today.  The resolution passed the council by a vote of 24 to 15, with 8 abstentions.  Member countries voting for the resolution included India, Nigeria and the United States.

“The Human Rights Council’s vote demonstrates broad international dissatisfaction with Sri Lanka’s accountability efforts in the three years since the end of the war,” said Juliette De Rivero, advocacy director at Human Rights Watch in Geneva. “Many countries have recognized that this resolution is an important first step toward serious action to investigate the many abuses by both sides during the conflict.”

The resolution calls upon the Sri Lankan government to fulfill its legal obligations toward justice and accountability, and to expeditiously provide a comprehensive action plan to implement the recommendations of its Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and also to address alleged violations of international law. It also encourages the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and other UN human rights envoys to assist Sri Lanka in implementing these steps.

The Sri Lankan government conducted an unsuccessful campaign in Geneva and in foreign capitals to reject the Human Rights Council resolution, Human Rights Watch said. Sri Lankan human rights advocates came under unprecedented government criticism and harassment in Geneva and Sri Lanka for supporting the resolution.  For instance, the state-owned Ceylon Daily News attacked three leading rights advocates and a journalist who were advocating for the resolution, alleging that they were supporters of the secessionist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and were acting to “betray Sri Lanka.” Human rights advocates attending the UN session in Geneva were photographed and their pictures published in national media and blogs, labeled as traitors.

“In its failed efforts to block the council resolution, the Sri Lankan government saw fit to put its own citizens at risk through vicious personal attacks on rights advocates,” De Rivero said. “It’s a credit to Human Rights Council members that they saw through the government’s scare tactics to avoid accountability.”

The council resolution is an important advance for accountability in Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said.  After the defeat of the LTTE in May 2009, President Mahinda Rajapaksa agreed to a statement with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in which he promised to address violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. However, the only significant action was the creation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission in April 2010.  The commission was seriously flawed and its report, published in December 2011, largely exonerates the actions of government forces.

Human Rights Watch reiterated its call for the Human Rights Council to adopt further measures to carry out recommendations to Secretary-General Ban made by his Panel of Experts in April 2011, which found credible allegations of serious laws of war violations by government forces and the LTTE.  The panel called for the establishment of an independent international mechanism to conduct investigations into alleged violations.

“Human Rights Council members recognized that when it came to accountability, Sri Lanka has been all talk and no action,” De Rivero said. “It’s crucial that implementation of the resolution be closely monitored to ensure that the victims of Sri Lanka’s long war finally achieve some measure of justice.”

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    Thanks a lot whole world!

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    What this article says are absolutely true, Rajapaksa invited this action by his stupid ignorant behaviour. After winning the war he was acting like a lunatic doing all what he could according to his wish and will. He even robbed the freedom of the very Sinhala people. Anyone who disagreed with him was just made to disappear. His brother is fully responsible for all atrocities in the country; white van is one of the deadly sticks irrespective whether the subject is one of his party or otherwise. White van is a nightmare for anyone which is the easiest way to land in heaven. The war hero is in jail pilling bogus cases after case just to keep him away from politics which anyone would understand as a clear violation of human rights. Now let them deal with the full supervision of UN and in the eyes of the world community. We certainly don’t like outside people interfering in to our domestic matters this is a savouring state but who paved the way for this to happen? It is none other than Rajapaksas, so he and his bandwagon should blame for themselves for creating this situation in Sri Lanka. Whether it is Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay or Burger we are sure they all would welcome this move as the country was rapidly heading to a lawless paradise.

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    With the US phony resolution through i am sure that it’s party time for NGO $$$ Kakkas in the form of governor Paki,Sunanda,Nimalka,Sunila etc.Any idea where they are partying?I would love to gatecrash.i just can only imagine these lucky ones drowning in Champagne along with caviar and the finest lobsters served by beautiful ladies.AS for our Tamil Tigers back to work licking Uncle Sam’s filthy boots.

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    A calm study of the US Resolution reveals nothing to warrant the terrible drama the Rajapakse State inspired within and outside – at such cost. The Rajapakses have become the laughing stock within, the region and wider still. Worst, they have exposed the decent Lankan Nation to ridicule. Their conspiracy to hide the real worry of theirs – the collapsing economy – will not hold. The Rupee is spiralling downwards. Goebellian tactics – either the Cabraalish or Jayasundera varieties – do not help in the circumstances. It was the first time the respected business community was intimidated to come to the streets to show their “support” to the regime. The poor are slowly starving – as basic essentials are becoming beyond their meagre means. There is little hope for the South in the near future.

    The Tamil-speaking NEP should be allowed to run their affairs to save the people there – free from the crime and drug-controlled reality that has now taken root in the South. Governance by lies and tricks can only last a while. The real truth eventually comes out.

    The Rajapakses will not give in easily or for justice. They will discover “reasons” to stay in power. The means to achieve that will come at a terrible price to the peoples’ freedom and democratic rights. There can be inspired anti-Indianism and communal riots. The IC must ensure Tamils in the South are not harmed as the climate to divide the country along racial lines are in place – again. That is the nature of despotic regimes – which ours has been for sometime now.

    Senguttuvan

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    Thank you USA..

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    This is the greatest diplomatic defeat for Sri Lanka after independence in 1948. Rajapakse put forward a very poor team to engage with USA initiated resolution.No body in this team was aware of international humanitarian law or human rights.

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      Sorry to disagree.
      The team sent to Geneva had to defend the indefensible stance adopted by the rulers, just so that the latter could hoodwink the citizens into thinking that they are the indispensable protectors of the country’s
      sovereignty, dignity etc.
      What a waste of funds, the cost of which the public will now have to bear.
      The govt. could easily have negotiated a time frame within which to implement the LLRC recommendations, which would have taken the wind out of the sails of the USA’s Resolution.
      Instead, the team was compelled to adopt an aggressive, confrontational approach which, no doubt, caused a great deal of animosity.
      Unfortunately, is the ordinary citizens who will have to pay for the bloated self importance of a few egomaniacs.

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    Sri Lanka has been “hoist with its own petard” – the LLRC was appointed with the intention of fooling the international community that the government has every intention of bringing normalcy and correcting the ravages of the war.
    Not to mention the proposed “Action Plan to Implement Human Rights” which is another ‘red herring’ no loger spoken about.
    There was NO intention of implementing the recommendations of the LLRC as shown by the effort to further prolong the normalising process by a Parliamentary Select Committe which again – like the APRC – would have “deliberated” for many months/years, until the next parliamentary
    and presidential elections are due, whereupon the entire process would be shelved to “leave it for the new administration to consider”.
    But now, the government has to make a serious effort, as the issue has been internationalised due to the debate at the UNHRC, and all countries are aware.
    The government has to show results at the pending Universal Periodic Review.
    In the UN Video, Devananda was seated with the SL deligation,and Ambassador Kunanayakam was not present.Why?

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    A SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!!

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    Instead of India it should have been Sri Lanka who could have worked with the sponsors to amend the resolution and to include “in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the Government of Sri Lanka” eventually agreeing to the resolution and there by to diffuse the situation the Sri Lanka has created by its arrogance. Now any way that these words have crept in with India’s intervention, the resolution has diluted to a greater extent. Without those words it could have contributed to further undermine the concept of so called “sovereignty” which has become an anathema for human rights in many countries.

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    Today I came home in a White van.( 22.03.2012) what are you talking about. We have freedom in sri lanka to any thing. I love Rajapaksha Brothers.

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    Finally justice is trying to stick its head out… Let’s see how far it goes…

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    We Srilankans who are enjoying peace after thirty years of bloody Tamil Tigers terrorism wouldn’t care a monkey’s balls on this phony resolution.The sponsors of the phony resolution are the world’s #1 human rights violators.You can talk,discuss,deliberate the phony resolution in the US and Europe till the cows come home.But at ground zero level it is a non event.This is an attempted cheap type of blackmail. Srilanka has the resolve to nip in the bud as far as trying to repeat terrorism once again,this time on the pretext of human rights.Lets not beat about the bush.The paid mercenaries who are trying to start the terror campaign all over again will be dealt the way they deserve.Thanks for Geneva the cat is out of the bag.Now we know who are these characters in the forefront of the “Start terror campaign”.They can’t be partying in Geneva forever.Terrorists will be dealt accordingly,this time it is not the security forces but the peace loving citizens of Srilanka.No more terror promoters,advertisers or marketeers.

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      Max, I have been reading your posts over many days. Mostly with disbelief at your viciousness but also with amusement at your mental process.
      No doubt you are using a pseudonym. Silva you are not, but you certainly are Max……

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        Dear Kc John and the bandwagon,
        Thanks for following me.Hope that i am not on your hit list,now that you have given up terrorism for good.Anyway as a precautionary measure i will not wonder around dark alleys.You allege that i am using a pseudonym.Trust me KC and Co,this is(Silva) what my Pa had given to the clerk at the government hospital where i was born.But still if you insist,provided it’s ok with CT,i might as well change it to Silvanayagam.I am sure that it will help further improve cross cultural reconciliation.That’s whats the US resolution is all about!By the way where have all the Tamils gone?What i find is only Sinhala names and European names such as John,Johnny,Jonson,Jim etc.Where were you born John?Can’t be in a dreary Srilankan government hospital.
        You guys now can’t complain anymore,with the US backed resolution passing through.I am sure that your dream has been realized.Now when is this Rajapakse fellow going to sit on that electric chair?Hope it’s not made in China.You should not worry anymore.Days ahead you are going to be very busy.For starters get going rehearsing a brand new Ealam national anthem.I am not going to keep you waiting.I know that you have a hell of a lot of packing to do.Pl come home.Welcome to Ealam!

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      Dear Max…
      Scientists are searching for the Hominid, the missing link between humans and monkeys.

      I think they have not read your comments in CT.

      Once they read.. the whole world can celebrate for discovering the missing link.. with its name Max Silva. ( and probably do a DNA test on all the sinhalese to check whether they are real humans or they all belongs to the same missing link)

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        Hi Dinasaur,
        I can’t fathom neither head nor tail what you are talking about.You sound like my former zoology teacher.The only thing i know of zoology is my last visit to the Dehiwala zoo,that was when “Velu”the kid was target practicing killing small birds with stones.Pl don’t embarrass me,i am so week in zoology.Thank you.
        Now with the much hyped resolution becoming a reality,what else on your plate?Ealam is a foregone conclusion.One step forward,two steps back.Whats the use of having a small piece of wasted land for your Ealam?Why not direct your eagle eyes to a larger Ealam.i.e.add Tamil Nadu+pieces in Europe+north America=The Ealam empire.
        Dinasaur,though it’s bitter i have to admit that i lost.The Ealam pill is so bitter in contrast to the one we gave you,the LLRC pill.The LLRC pill is one hell of a magical pill,don’t you agree?It seems that the world has come crashing down on me.I hope that you guys being so wonderful wouldn’t make fun out of me.I promise that i will be waving the Ealam flag welcoming your PM Rudrakumaran at the airport.Is it true that Paki is going to be sworn in as minister of ladies affairs?Haven’t congratulatory messages started arriving in your rusted post box yet?If not,then here’s from me.I know that you are very busy,with ceremonies on the horizon,i won’t keep you waiting?If something evil happens to me,i am sure that i can count on you. Congratulations!

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    There will be more White van abductions, Disappearances, more lootings by Sinhala hoons and as for the little develpoment works in the North east it might take a century to finish if at all. POOR TAMILS will suffer whether this resolution passed or not.

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    As Abe Lincoln said ” you can’t fool all the people all the time”. A lesson ape Abe refused to learn. Deceit, lies, vain glorious posturing, blind arrogance and village bravado was thought a good enough substitute for diplomacy.

    The governments own LLRC lamented that its own interim recommendations which were simple confidence building measures for reconciliation were totally ignored. Without engaging the US, India and others constructively, in a dignified civilized manner, the regime embarked in its trade mark style of bombast,and circuses, letting loose the regime’s bloodhounds in vicious attacks on those who dared voice different opinions. Such clownish acts, in true Sri lankan election style may be good enough for local consumption but only went to demonstrate the regimes nakedness on the world stage.

    This cannot be considered a Resolution against Sri Lanka, the land and its people. It is a Resolution against an uncaring Rajapakse regime hell bent on taking us down a Gadarene slope of no return merely for the continuity of its own power and position.

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      Thanks Niran. Yes, that’s it.

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    Exactly Sengutuan & Niran Wirasinha you hit the nail right in the head of Pro Rajapaksa fools even in this blog their arrogance exposed,

    We Srilankans love our country, dont like any harm befalling, what we dont like is the governing style of Rajapaksa Bros, I am not connected to Ranil, Sajith, or Somawansa, dont brand us as a traitor or betrayer which wont hold water. (Anybody can see my profile in Facebook),The truth must prevail most of our Srilankans are brainwashed by State Media, they do not know International law or Politics, just selfish blind followers of UPFA for personal gains by legal or illegal means, most of them are thugs & drugbarons
    What hurts me is this bogus patriotism shown by these UPFA lackeys & henchmen s, What did they achieve by going on Protest March, were they able to stop the Geneva resolution ,What a waste of time & energy ,most of them Govt servants who wasted the days work. still they want to continue this issue like & unhealed wound, one Minister is telling to hoist the national flag for a week, can we frighten the Americans or Indians by this stupidity, we ourselves are digging our grave, this hate campaign going to backtrack on us, UN has ordered to erase their logo in all their vehicles in Srilanka, Some NGOs are refusing to complete their sponsored projects in the N/E due to fear, Govt will have to incur additional expenses in providing security for them how stupid our ignorant fools, can we fight the Americans or Indians even if our entire population gets mobilized. These are politics which need to be handled diplomatically not pleasing the gallery.

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      My dear Jim,
      Who asked you whether you are connected to Ranil,sajith or Somawanse?There’s no question that you are a true patriot.You don’t have to worry about Rajapakse anymore.Very soon he will be made to sit on that electric chair(not made in China).Now that you got what you want,without wasting your time here anymore pl take a well deserved holiday.As myself ending up on the loosing side let me take this opportunity to wish you good luck!For you guys it’s party time!

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        Thanks, Max. That type of response was only expected. If there’s one thing going for you, it is that you are consistent!

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    Now that this ‘resolution’ has passed, it might be a time for quiet reflection and retrospection by all parties. The name calling, chest-thumping and slogan waving only promotes the agendas of shrewd manipulators who utilise people’s naivety towards fulfilling their own narrow objectives.

    Sri Lanka must strive towards reducing the record external debt by slashing plans for unproductive grand monuments and symbolic logos, and develop the rural health and education infrastructure, develop more production capabilities to ease the spiralling cost of living, recognise and award merit to those who genuinely deserve it, ensure transparency in dealings, distribute the national wealth equitably among the people, encourage the rule of law, focus on the welfare of the people and thereby promote sovereignty of the people, rather than merely ensure the survival of small powerful groups.

    No external forces will then be able to interfere in Sri Lanka’s affairs as all people will genuinely unite to protect their proud nation.

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      Very sensible, Lasantha. Thank you.

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    US and its allies just scraped through. 24 votes for the resolution is just over 50%. With all their bullying power this is a poor show for US.There were greater nations like China and Russsia voting against. US should lend an ear to what the Cuban delegate had to say about the atrocities committed by them and Israel. Where is the justice? It is OK to kill Osama bin laden, but not Prabhakaran the most ruthless terrorist?
    I think all in all the Sri Lankan delegation did well. They said what they had to say. 23 nations listened. Others had cotton wool in their ears!!

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      Neil Seneviratne,
      1)So why couldn’t the “greater nations” you name (ie.)China and Russia, get together and collect more than 50% of the votes?
      2)Where is that murderous thug Prabhakaran mentioned in the Resolution? Isn’t the issue much more about implementation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka?
      2)What makes you think “23 nations listened”? It could have been either 32 for the Resolution and 15 against or 27 – 19 or some such combination, isn’t it?

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        K C John
        1) It was US who moved the resolution, not Russia or China

        2) The whole episode starts with Prabhakaran

        3) Sadly you miss my point

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    There were 40 Co-sponsors of the resolution proposed by USA at the UNHRC meeting.Therefore 64 member countries of the UN approved the resolution,though only 24 of them could vote at the meeting.
    8 members of UNHRC abstained.
    !7 voted against the resolution and sri lanka could not obtain more objectors.
    The European Union ambassador,in his speech,expressed concern about threats to sri lankan human rights activists in Geneva.
    Not only the EU,but most nations of the world are aware of the human rights situation in sri lanka.
    Sri Lanka should take quick steps to implement the recommendations of its own LLRC.

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    IN EUROPE THE LEADERS HAVE STARTED A NEW TREND IN THEIR POLITICAL THINKING.. AND TO SOME DEGREE THIS SHOULD APPLY AND APPLIES TO THE SITUATION IN LANKA.. THATS THE KEY WORD..INTEGRATION.. ESPICALLY HAS FAILED IN THE NORTH…. EG: WHEN TAMILS SETTLE ALL OVER SRI LANKA AND QUITE RIGHTLEY THEY ARE EXERCISING THEIR FUNDEMENTAL RIGHTS.. BUT WHEN SINHALA, MUSLIM, BUGHER, MALAY,SL CHINESE WISH TO SETTLE IN THE NORTH THE NORTHERN POLITICIANS AND THE LTTE DIASPORA SHOUT.. THEY ARE INVADEING SOCALLED TRADITIONAL TAMIL HOME LANDS.. NOW THE SETTLEMENT OF NON TAMILS IN THE NORTH ARE A KEY AND ESSENTIAL FOR FUTURE PEACE AND SHOULD BE IN THE LLRC AND ANY RESOLUTIONS.. YET NONE OF THE LTTE SUPPORTED INT NGOS SEEM TO MENTION THIS VERY BASCI RIGHT OF OTHER CITIZENS OF LANKA WHO ARE NOT OF TAMIL ORIGIN, BUT WISH TO SETTLE IN THE NORTH.. NOW LIKE THESE WESTERN POLITICIANS ARGUE INTEGRATION.. SHOULD THAT NOT BE APPLIED TO US LANKANS..??? SO WHY THE FEAR FROM THE LTTE DIASPORA.. I CHALLENGE GOSL TO INCLUDE THIS IN PART OF THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS..THUS ENDING LTTE RACIST POLITICS FOR EVER.. THIS INTEGRATION PROGRAMME IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN THOUSANE TANK BATTLES.. THIS IS THE LAST CLOSING OF THE CIVIL WAR TO INTEGRATION NON TAMILS IN THE NORTH.

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    I agree with CT’s article but we all know that acts against humanity and unreasonable killings are taking place in many countries where US marines’ boots are present, such as bombing using unmanned vehicles. We also have to agree that Tamil diaspora’s influence to Mrs. Clinton assisted during her election campaign.

    Many of us agree that MR was arrogant after the defeat of LTTE. It was quite natural for a President to display his pride after crushing a terrorist organization where many experts expressed as the LTTE is an undefeatable organization. MR failed to share the booty with other countries except with China, India and several close allies. If MR would had given the opportunity to US, UK and other European countries to invest in SL’s development MR wouldn’t face such a opposition. Many may question what investment? There are many invisible investments in the financial sector where US, UK and other European countries would show it’s interests.

    Whatsoever the events that took place could have been prevented IF OUR DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WOULD HAVE DONE THEIR JOBS PROPERLY. Appointing close relatives and MR’s henchmen as Ambassadors to foreign countries was the biggest mistake MR did, is how I see.

    IT IS LATE BUT NOT TOO LATE

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      I quite agree with Dr Marverick’s comments.

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    India’s vote at UNHRC is a joke.Nehru promised UNO that Kashmiris would be given a plebiscite if they wish to continue with the Union goverment and want Independence , still the vote is being awaited. What about Gujarat, Odisha and the rest and minorities are still suffering in that country. LTTE kicked the minorities from the North under pain of death and they are still living as paupers in the South. Is this not Ethinic cleansing. Dr. Paki is holding the holy grail at that where was he ? hiding under the Amercan dress to frightened to speak about LTTE and now shouting at the top of his voice. Democracy has given them new found freedom. Has Dr.Paki spoken about the minorities who wre chased out from the North and TNA is not allwoing them to be settled. This is sham show which is going on UNHRC and so called free journalist are appealing to N.Pillay who is another fraud who has still to table the Palestinian Gaza massacre.

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    Just Look at the Human rights Record of the nations that voted for the res.. WHat a joke… All i can say is ‘ A law is a law only when it applies to everyone and does not discriminate’

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      You mean voted against the Resolution, don’t you? I mean especially China, Russia & Cuba – all reputed guarantors of Human Rights to their respective populations, and in the case of the former two, great neighbours too – just ask the Dalai Lama (Tibet) and Georgia.

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