SPUR Media Release – UNHCR

SPUR (Society for Peace, Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka Inc)
Reg: A 003 0777 M
PO Box 4066, Mulgrave, VIC 3170, Australia
Tel: (03) 97957143               Fax: (03) 97957142
Email: ranjiths@spur.asn.au
Website: www.spur.asn.au

Desist from Co-Sponsoring the UN Resolution
Drafted by the Human Rights Council in March 2017

The Society for Peace Unity and Human Rights for Sri Lanka (SPUR),

Recalling the Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 adopted on 1 October 2015 promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka;

Noting with concern:

• The recently revealed agreement entered into by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), USA, and the TNA on foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorised prosecutors and investigators in the 2015 March-    September period; and
• The co-sponsoring of the sighted resolution by Sri Lanka in 2015.

Recognising the confusing and conflicting statements recently made by Hon Mangala Samaraweera, the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka regarding the legality of foreign judges participating in Sri Lanka’s judicial processes;

Noting the Foreign Minister’s Geneva meeting in February 2017 with well-known Tamil separatists who had worked hand in glove with the Tiger Terrorist Leadership,

Pointing to the membership of anti-national NGO representatives in the Government’s March 2017 delegation to Geneva;

Condemning the efforts by a selected cohort of internationally funded local NGOs misleading the President by providing him with falsified information;

Reaffirming our view that National Security is a precursor and absolute non-negotiable condition for Economic Prosperity;

Observing with alarm the ongoing efforts by the USA, UK, India and some members of the EU to punish Sri Lanka for defeating terrorism;

Recalling with concern the role played by India and its cohort from the EU, USA and UK in prosecuting the 2015 regime change in Sri Lanka;

Restating our commitment to protecting the territorial integrity, unitary status and the sovereignty of Sri Lanka;

Recalling the responsibility of the GoSL to respect the war heroes who lost their lives, and look after the welfare of those who became disabled so that the Sri Lanka could be free of Tamil Tiger Terror;

Noting the recent comments made by President Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinhe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera that foreign judges could not participate in judicial mechanisms in Sri Lanka under the current constitution;

Welcome the statements made by President Sirisena and Prime Minister Wickramasinhe that Foreign Judges wold not be invited to participate in any judicial matters in Sri Lanka related to UNHRC Resolution 30/1. MEDIA RELEASE 22 March 2017

Question the GoSL why it co-sponsored Resolution 30/1 in 2015 which committed the GoSL to a number of actions in Section 6 that would undermine and threaten Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

Condemn Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s unprofessional conduct in 2015 leading in to passing UNHCR Resolution 30/1 as well as his subpar conduct in 2016 and 2017.

Most of all, we urge the GoSL:

1.Not to co-sponsor the UNHRC Resolution 30/1’s redrafted replacement presented to the HR Council in March 2017.
2.Argue the case for deleting Item 6 in the recrafted Resolution 30/1, which refers to special counsel’s office, office of the Commonwealth and other foreign judges, authorised prosecutors, defence lawyers and investigators getting involved in any judicial mechanism established in Sri Lanka.
3.Dismiss the foreign minister for lacking skills, capabilities and competencies to hold the position; and
4.Explain to President Trump and alert key decision makes in the Trump Administration; of the Obama Administration’s narcissistic behaviour led by Hillary Clinton which victimised Sri Lanka for defeating Tamil Tiger Terrorism in favour of Tamil votes in the Presidential Election by mollycoddling Tamils promoting separatism. Visit ‘Tamils for Hillary’ www.tamilsforhillary.com for details.

Dr Dasarath Jayasuriya

PRESIDENT