• Canadian foreign minister Baird welcomes resolution

    The Canadian Foreign Affairs minister, John Baird, welcomed the UNHRC's adoption of resolution 22/L1 on Thursday. 

    In a statement, Baird said:

  • Sri Lanka fumes over Indian support for resolution

    In light of India voting in favour of a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC and increasing anti-Sri Lanka sentiment in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lankan government ministers, political parties and even media have reacted furiously.

    Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa reportedly expresseddeep disappointment with India”, saying the resolution employed “double standards” over “unsubstantiated allegations”.

    He went on to add, "would India address its accountability issues to the satisfaction of Western powers or the UN"?

    Rajapaksa has also called for all Sri Lankans to refrain from travelling to Tamil Nadu, “until the situation improves”.


    Meanwhile the Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka posted an article entitled “India bowed down to American dictates”, adding that,

    “India became a lame duck under the domineering fist of Americans”.

    The Daily Mirror carried a lead banner that read “India joins USA to beat SL”.

    In an editorial headed “Geneva: A triumph for hypocrisy”, the Island slammed India writing,

    Ironically, it fully backed Sri Lanka’s war on terror during which crimes against civilians are alleged to have occurred. It was fully au fait with the situation in the Vanni—it had its personnel on non-military duty in the operational areas—and if there had been excesses on the part of the Sri Lankan military it should have made a direct intervention to stop the war at that juncture.”

  • UNHRC session on SL resolution begins
    Published 10:36am Geneva time.

     

    The final text of the draft resolution brought on Sri Lanka - Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka' - tabled at UNHRC session.

     

    Follow @TamilGuardian Twitter for live commentary and images of final draft texted tables by the United States.

  • UNHRC adopts draft resolution 22/L1 on Sri Lanka

    Published 10:59 Geneva

    In a vote that took place today in Geneva, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a draft resolution (22/L1) on Sri Lanka entitled - 'Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka'.

  • UNHRC resolution a 'missed opportunity' - CTC

    The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), called the UN Human Rights Council latest resolution on Sri Lanka 22/1 a 'missed opportunity' but that the 'adoption of another resolution this year signifies the Council’s engagement and commitment to follow through Resolution 19/2.'

    In a statement released immediately after the Council voted, CTC said:

  • UNHRC resolution 22/1: 25 yes, 13 no, 8 abstain

     

    Confirmation of final vote details on the adoption of resolution 22/1 by the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka:

    25 member states voted YES: Argentina, Austria, Benin, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Italy, Libya, Montenegro, Peru, Poland, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Sierra Leone, Spain, Switzerland, USA.

  • US calls for action on reconciliation and accountability

    The US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on Sri Lanka to take “meaningful action” on longstanding issues such as reconciliation and accountability.

    See full statement below.

  • Last ditch efforts...
    A Discussion and Conclusions session regarding the adoption of a tabled draft resolution (22/L1) on Sri Lanka entitled ‘Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka’, ended with successful adoption of the draft resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council session.
  • Advocating the Use of the G word - Genocide' - TAG

    Published by TAG on 21st March. See here.

    In the run up to today’s HRC vote on Sri Lanka, there has been some considerable debate over how the demands of justice are to be met, and the use of the word genocide. The latter debate was sparked by the DMK’s withdrawal from the Indian central government, in a protest against the government’s position with respect to the US sponsored resolution before the HRC. The DMK demands were twofold, India should work to strengthen the resolution, not weaken it, and the word genocide should be used in the resolution.
     
    In New Delhi last month TAG pushed for India to strengthen the resolution, to call for an International Independent Investigation, and one taken in the context of 60 years of persecution. With regards use of the word “genocide”, given our name, there can be little doubt over where we at Tamils Against Genocide stand. 

  • ‘Indian army uniforms’ and ‘Doctored photos’ claims Fonseka

    Former Sri Lankan Army General Sarath Fonseka has claimed that the LTTE had used Indian army uniforms asserting that this explains freshly uncovered evidence of war crimes, and maintained that he was willing to answer any questions over the conduct of the war.

  • Chinese-funded 'Rajapaksa International Airport' opens

    Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has officialy opened the country's second international airport, constructed in his hometown of Hambantota after a $209 million Chinese loan.

    State television showed Rajapaksa arriving at Hambantota airport on a state-owned Sri Lankan Airlines flight, with a 213-member delegation.

    Teresita Schaffer, a former US ambassador to Sri Lanka, said,

    “This recent huge increase in [Chinese] money was very convenient for Rajapaksa, who wanted to show he didn’t need the west and all its talk of human rights abuses”.

    Addressing a gathering at the airport, Rajapaksa stated,

    "We need international funding. We have not hesitated for external loans and we will not hesitate in future as well... We have been criticised for taking loans to build this airport... The loan was not for consumption, but to build infrastructure. We will build more power stations, highways and ports".

    "It is not possible to build internationally important development projects such as this solely from internal revenue. It is true that we launch most development projects from the revenue of our own country, but we need international assistance, too. This is a practice followed by other countries too. It is necessary to obtain loans to build a country. We too obtain such loans and assistance and build many things for the development of the country. Therefore, I express the gratitude of our people and our country to all of you".

  • Sampanthan welcomes resolution and dismisses criticism of India

    Welcoming the adoption of the UNHRC resolution 22/1 on Sri Lanka, the leader of the TNA, R Sampanthan, praised India's support to it.

    Asked for TNA's position on the passing of the resolution in an interview to BBC Tamil, R Sampanthan, said:

  • Sri Lanka denies entry to Briton over tattoo

    Sri Lankan authorities have denied entry to a British tourist into the country over a Buddha tattoo on his arm, deemed to be ‘disrespectful’.

    42-year-old Antony Ratcliffe from Nottingham was “shocked and upset” over the decision, over what he said was “inoffensive” body art meant to be a tribute.

  • India delays defence discussions with Sri Lanka

    The Indian government has delayed an annual 3 day defence dialogue scheduled to commence on March 23.

    Official sources gave no reason for delaying the three-day talks, stating,

  • Sri Lanka champions the Palestinian cause

    The Sri Lankan mission addressed a general debate on the Israel Palestine conflict at the 22nd United Nations Human Rights Council Session today, championing the idea of a people’s right to self determination and a sovereign state.

Subscribe to Tamil Affairs