23 September, 2023

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Zeid Condemns Persistent Disinformation Designed To Discredit UN Investigation On Sri Lanka

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Friday criticized the continuing attacks by the Sri Lankan Government on the integrity of the UN Human Rights Office’s ongoing investigation into alleged grave human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka, and condemned the intimidation of human rights defenders and individuals who may wish to cooperate with the investigation.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

“This continuing campaign of distortion and disinformation about the investigation, as well as the insidious attempts to prevent possible bona fide witnesses from submitting information to the investigating team, is an affront to the United Nations Human Rights Council which mandated* the investigation,” High Commissioner Zeid said.

“The Government of Sri Lanka has refused point blank to cooperate with the investigation despite being explicitly requested by the Human Rights Council to do so,” Zeid said. “Such a refusal does not, however, undermine the integrity of an investigation set up by the Council – instead it raises concerns about the integrity of the government in question. Why would governments with nothing to hide go to such extraordinary lengths to sabotage an impartial international investigation?” he added.

“The Government’s attempts to deter and intimidate individuals from submitting evidence to a UN investigation team is unacceptable conduct for any Member State of the United Nations which has committed to uphold the UN Charter,” the High Commissioner said. “Since the end of the conflict in 2009, Sri Lanka has continued to obstruct any independent investigation despite the persistent, compelling and widespread allegations that possible serious international crimes were committed by both sides during the conflict in Sri Lanka.”

The High Commissioner noted that Sri Lankan civil society organizations and human rights defenders have continued to be subjected to surveillance, harassment and other forms of intimidation. “A wall of fear has been created that has undoubtedly served to deter people from submitting evidence,” Zeid said.

The High Commissioner rejected this week’s “false and unsubstantiated accusations by the Sri Lankan Government that the conduct of the investigation has been ‘unprofessional’ and that its approach is ‘selective and biased.’”

He also rejected as “absurd” the accusation that the investigation was somehow compromised by the arrest of a man who was allegedly in possession of blank signed forms that would then be fraudulently filled in and submitted to the investigation.

“We don’t accept anything at face value. UN human rights investigators are trained to spot fraudulent submissions. The process of analysis and corroboration of information and evidence is well defined, refined and codified on the basis of many years’ experience,” Zeid said. “We have been directly involved with more than 40 Commissions of Inquiry, Fact-Finding Missions and similar inquiries. It is a false equation to suggest that because someone may have been trying to submit false submissions, the inquiry is discredited. In addition, the submissions form only a part of the investigation.”

The High Commissioner stressed that the UN had not formatted or distributed any forms for people to fill in, nor had the investigation team requested any individual or organization to go out and collect information on its behalf.  He also rejected the imputation that the United Nations would ever provide monetary compensation in exchange for information.

“The methodology of the investigation has been made public through its terms of reference. It is based on standard methodology for such investigations aimed at ensuring the integrity of the process through the application of the principles of independence, impartiality, objectivity and protection of witnesses,” Zeid said.

“On the issue of transparency, we will not be releasing information on the interviews we are conducting, or where, or when they take place. This is, again, standard procedure for protecting sources of information especially where there is a clear risk that people providing information may suffer reprisals,” the High Commissioner said.

He urged the Government to “focus on the substantive issues under investigation instead of obscuring them by the constant questioning of procedures which – while not unimportant – are not the heart of the matter.”  He encouraged the Government to begin engaging with the investigation.

The investigation team confirmed that the call for submissions ended on 30 October and that the submissions email address has ceased to exist.

The Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in March 2014 requesting the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights “to undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka”. The Council requested the High Commissioner to present a comprehensive report, resulting from that investigation, to its 28th session in March 2015.

See resolution A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1 at:  
http://daccess-ods.un.org/access.nsf/Get?Open&DS=A/HRC/25/L.1/Rev.1&Lang=E

UN Human Rights, country page – Sri Lanka: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/AsiaRegion/Pages/LKIndex.aspx

*UN Human Rights News

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Latest comments

  • 31
    5

    The regime doesn’t seem to put one foot right these days, everything seems to be going wrong !

    • 17
      4

      I don’t think they did anything right from the very beginning. The first mistake was the imprisonment of the most efficient General in Asia, Sarath Fonseka.

      • 14
        5

        first it was Louise Arbor then Ms N.pillay and now this new bloke Zeid , well MR led team can start bashing him now , as he is going against the gang .

        • 20
          4

          Exactly, he must be a terrorist too.

          Add him to that long list LOL

        • 17
          0

          Srieeeeeeee LAAAAAAAAAAAAAl.

          Why not you Advise your [Edited out] to start Some street Drama with
          Hiwal Modawanghsa,
          Wermin Silawa,
          with his Future Education Minister, Sex maniac Brat Melharka,
          Pimp Waas,
          Bere gedara Jarpaal,
          Foreign un service able Ladies,
          and Jarapassa Relative Deplo mutts.

          Then the H R problems will be solved as PEE RISK says, and
          Evan he can Appoint One of his, sitting on the brain, PINATA KANA BRATS,
          as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

          [ Pinata Kahina S L;, if you write more they will consider pay per words also].

          • 0
            0

            [Edited out]

        • 3
          21

          Yes, this Zeid is wore than the other two.

          He is a “pretender” to Iraqi crown and married to a woman from Sweden’s rich, Jewish, Lind family. He has graduated from the Johns Hopkins University where all American foreign service spies graduate from.

          His rash style (no diplomacy) clearly shows he is an American agent trying to bully Sri Lanka.

          To hell with this thief!

    • 20
      1

      Dev,

      Does the UNHCR chief-Zeid, have any Tamil connections?

      Dr.RN

      • 17
        2

        First Louise Arbour biased…..

        Then Navi Pilay……..biased..

        Now Zeid al-hussein……biased ..

        Next?

      • 16
        1

        Yes, Yes,
        All are Teras;
        { SRI LANKA PATRIOTS], My arse.

        Patriot [Edited out] Ma Ra ya also got permission to Meet Former LTTE killers In USA and Italy ,
        when he visited there, last time with IRC WAAS.
        and negotiated for next Election Gillmart with LTTE.
        and diversion of LTTE balance coffers to Monaco for Dual Citizenships,
        This time KIRIBATH with Madmulana Lunu Miris???????????.

        Kaala Warellaa!!!!!!!!!!!!.

    • 12
      0

      I think it was Shakespeare who said, “Oh what a web we weave, when we first decide to deceive”. Simply by denying UN access, or disposing of the accusers, the accusations are not going to go away. Besides the individual accusations, it’s incredible the Rajapakses resorted to gigantic whoppers, like “not a single civilian death was sustained during those final days of the conflict”, and expected the public, let alone the UN, to believe.

    • 13
      0

      Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

      “UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Friday criticized the continuing attacks by the Sri Lankan Government on the integrity of the UN Human Rights Office’s ongoing investigation into alleged grave human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka, and condemned the intimidation of human rights defenders and individuals who may wish to cooperate with the investigation.”

      SL State was caught with their pants down, naked and keep saying they are clothed.

      It is like a thief caught with the goods.

  • 6
    44

    This investigation was dead on arrival. Waste of time and money. If this guy was smart he would have asked Sri Lanka to nominate half the investigation committee or included committee members from countries that voted against the resolution to show it’s legitimacy and impartiality. If he did so SL would be forced to participate in the investigation. I don’t know from where and for what reason these western powers find such idiots to head these agencies!

    This guy should concentrate on his neighborhood (Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria)for a change.

  • 18
    2

    .
    Srilanka…..always on the news for wrong reasons.

    :-)

  • 14
    5

    “He also rejected as “absurd” the accusation that the investigation was somehow compromised by the arrest of a man who was allegedly in possession of blank signed forms that would then be fraudulently filled in and submitted to the investigation.”

    When TNA politicians rejected such accusation in the Parliament they were heckled and their speech constantly interrupted.
    what are they going to say now!

  • 16
    6

    Current SL leaders were looking for a short term solution for their ethnic conflict. Lankans needs to elect smart leaders who are going to govern the country with a long term interest of all Lankans. I think the current leaders got into corner and now don’t know how to get out.

    No one country can try to discredit The United Nation. This battle will not end in their favour.

    China is the only country left supporting Lanka. But they would not muddy themself if they think there is a possibility that their image is going to be tarnished by continuing to side with current Lankan Government.

  • 14
    6

    To begin with, strip the SOB of the post of Chairmanship of the Commonwealth.

  • 22
    4

    Excellent response to the constant stupid complaints of Rakapaksa, Rambukwella and the Geriatric Loser Peiris about the UN investigation. Mr Al Hussein’s response is clear, to the point and shows his annoyance with the Rajapaksa regime.

    As he said the regime has something to hide or else it would cooperate with the investigation. Everone knows war crimes were committed by the SL military and that the regime wants to keep it all under wraps. It won’t work with this determined no-nonsence High Commissioner!

    • 5
      33

      piranha,
      “…no-nonsence High Commissioner!” or a puppet of the west!

      • 12
        1

        Who cares whose puppet he is.

        I am delirious that he has got Rajapaksa by his short and curlies.

  • 8
    2

    Navi Pillai is a Tiger and Al Hussain is a Gihadist. what can poor Rajapakse do?

    • 22
      2

      Perera

      “Navi Pillai is a Tiger and Al Hussain is a Gihadist. what can poor Rajapakse do?”

      How about seeking refuge in China, Hindia, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, South Africa, North Korea, …. Libya?

    • 12
      1

      Nothing, mate. Rajapaksa is cornered!

  • 6
    29

    The new kid on the block seems more lethal to our inhabitants’ health and wellbeing than the old aunty.

    He reckons he has the experience of not one, but 40 Pillai type commissions under his belt.

    And all of them conducted by his super duper investigators to fix problems and give the Dalits worldwide, good governance and a better life, .

    He now has bestowed the honours on the NGOs, like FF, CPA, BASL,Dr Jehan and even the TNA dude who was caught distributing the Blank UN forms to the Dalits in the North, as the saviours , guardians and protectors of the the great majority inhabitant population who now live in peace and harmony,making a few quid to feed their loved ones.

    Is Mr Said Al-Hussein from the Middle East?…

    • 14
      1

      you dont worry abt him K A Sumansekera he is nothing compared to you mate with your excellent IQ and debating skills buddy which combine with your love of the Vellalas makes you a true hero mate!

    • 16
      1

      KAS KAS;

      What Idiots like you, they employ to comment on Colombo Telegraph like this type of Questions..

      Do You Think Any body from Medamulana Or Tangalle uneducated Brats will Become UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

      Or those are not Political appointments like Jarapassa Appointing Thugs, psychopaths, goons, Rapists and lunatics to Foreign services and government Key posts.

  • 9
    2

    I wonder what kind of response the Geriatric Loser Peiris will come up with. Can’t wait.

  • 10
    1

    Well,Sri Lanka is a drop on the face of the earth. The trend of Sri Lankan Politicians trying the rest of the world to follow their example in eradicating terrorism seems vanishing fast. Why are these heros taken to task and not given the throne? Are there people out there who are not aware of what really was going on during the war, after the war and now at present? Who doesn’t know?

  • 14
    1

    Sri Lanka is slowly sinking into the black hole composed of discredited nations in the UN.
    Admitting the UN investigaters into the country is unthinkable – the lily white ‘dharmadwipa’ enshrining ‘pristine buddhism’ will be tarnished.

  • 37
    3

    Michael Roberts the Sri Lankan‐Australian, who publicly defends the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime’s human rights record, wrote the following item, which was published yesterday on Groundviews.

    We hope that Colombo Telegraph also posts this item by Michael Roberts. Many CT readers will post useful comments in response.

    We maintain that both the Sri Lanka military and the LTTE committed large numbers of horrific human rights violations.

    Thus, the current UN probe on Sri Lanka, is absolutely essential.

    Visvanathan Rudrakumaran, Father S. J. Emmanuel, S. V. Kirubakaran (Switzerland), Nanthini Balakrishnan Seharaseyon (USA), Suren Surendiran (UK), Nadesan Satyendra (UK), Ana Pararajasingham (Australia), Selvarasa Pathmanathan (SL), Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan (SL), Usha Sriskandarajah (Canada) – who are all LTTE leaders or activists, should all be investigated, along with several dozen other Tamils, by the UN probe.

    The war in Sri Lanka and propaganda debates: An analysis for the OHCHR in Geneva
    This item was posted on Groundviews – on 11/07/2014

    The war in Sri Lanka and propaganda debates: An analysis for the OHCHR in Geneva | Groundviews

    • 2
      18

      Excellent idea. First, all in this list should be handed over to sri lanka. Once justice is served we can start this investigation.

  • 14
    3

    Where is our great hero Wimal Weerawanse? Come on, let us declare war on UN! Those fellas at UN should understand that we have a right to violate human rights because we are oriented towards left. They should realize that most of the countries violating human rights including China are now with us!

  • 4
    19

    UN Investigation itself is an international Joke Making UNITED NATIONS a FARCE.

  • 5
    15

    Loise Arbour, Navi pillai and now this. all people that are very accountable, honest and full of integrity.

  • 2
    15

    What will be the outcome of the UN Probe ? Does it have teeth?

    • 0
      7

      Why don’t they study war crimes in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Ukraine, former Yugoslovia, Vietnam, Syria

  • 9
    2

    Siva,

    “Michael Roberts the Sri Lankan‐Australian “
    Below the title of the article it says “by Groundviews”
    It looks like you are guessing.

    First I also thought the author is MR as the article begins “As a Sri Lankan Australian and academic “

  • 19
    4

    The thumbs down vs thumbs up for comments on CT is very puzzling indeed.
    MR keyboard goons must be busy at work lately.

  • 0
    0

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