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Sri Lanka Peace Chief holds wide ranging
discussions in Geneva
The Permanent Mission
of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva
01st February 2008
The Secretary General of the Secretariat for Co-ordinating the Peace
Process (SCOPP) in Sri Lanka, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha was in Geneva this
week to participate in a discussion on Sri Lanka after the Ceasefire
which was designed to brief the international community about recent
developments in the country. He held a number of meetings with ambassadors
and officials engaged with Sri Lanka.
Meeting with H.E. Mr. Doru Romulus Costea,
President of the Human Rights Council
Prof. Wijesinha briefed the President of the Human Rights Council H.E.
Mr. Doru Romulus Costea of Romania about the reasons for the abrogation
of the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA), and the aftermath. He noted that his
visit was to help correct certain misconceptions about Sri Lanka amongst
some members of the international community. In particular, Sri Lanka
had been concerned about the statement of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights, since it was not clear that her mandate extended to political
issues. Though concern for Human Rights could be expressed in any context,
the language she had used had lent itself to being made use of by opposition
politicians and supporters of terrorism to suggest that the UN would
assist in inhibiting legitimate action to put a halt to terrorism.
He added that such comments should, in accordance with the Paris Principles
which led stress on consultation with officials on the ground, have
been made after the views of personnel in Sri Lanka had been sought.
Such pronouncements, repeated also by some other agencies, could harm
the active cooperation which characterized relations now between Sri
Lanka and UN agencies working in Sri Lanka. He added that the government
had welcomed the report of Prof. Walter Kalin, the Representative of
the UN Secretary General on Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)'s with
regard to the Human Rights of IDPs, since that had noted the positive
steps taken by the government while drawing attention to areas of possible
abuse regarding which remedial action was recommended. It was that sort
of partnership that was desired rather than loose statements which could
be used to undermine government action. He noted that measures had already
been taken to increase confidence in the police, through recruitment
of minority members and teaching of Tamil to promote a bilingual force.
Prof. Wijesinha also pointed out that criticism of the Sri Lankan Human
Rights Commission suggested ignorance of a report commissioned in April
2007 by the UNDP. That report noted shortcomings both in the current
Commission and its predecessor, but suggested methods of improvement.
The pleas of the HRC for support, including for international UN volunteers
for Regional Centres, had been ignored, and the result was recent unequivocal
criticism of an institution that had recognized shortcomings and asked
for aid.
The President of the Council had not seen that report, but said he
would make it a priority to find a copy. He noted that there were different
interpretations of the mandate of the High Commissioner, but pending
clarification, there was clearly an opportunity for the Sri Lankan government
to enter a constructive dialogue with the concerned member states of
the Human Rights Council at the review of the Universal Periodic Review
(UPR) where Sri Lanka will be presenting its country report in May 2008.
He welcomed the readiness to share information by the Sri Lankan Government,
and said that the UPR process could be a new leaf in the debate on Human
rights for Sri Lanka to clarify issues. He further mentioned that the
intention of the UPR is not for the member states to make judgments
on others or to stick labels, but to assist with improving the situation.
Prof. Wijesinha confirmed that Sri Lanka was happy to continue with
the dialogue and hoped to improve the situation, but it would help if
some members of the international community changed what seemed dogma
and accepted that it would not be appropriate to press for a field office
of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in
Sri Lanka. Positive responses to requests for assistance, for areas
suggested also by Special Rapporteurs, would be most welcome.
Meeting with H.E. Ms. Bente Angell Hansen,
Ambassador of Norway
H. E. Ms. Hansen recalling memories of her childhood which had been
spent in Sri Lanka where her father had been working said that since
then she had closely followed the situation there. She understood the
importance of language issues, and was pleased to find that English
medium education had been introduced and that bilingualism in the other
two languages was encouraged.
With regard to the abrogation of the CFA, Prof. Wijesinha noted that
several flaws in the CFA were taken advantage of by the LTTE, which
continued to bring in arms and recruit children and carryout assassinations.
Prof. Wijesinha expressed his appreciation for the general attempts
of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission to maintain accurate records which
made clear the relentless violation of the CFA by the LTTE. He mentioned
that the government was happy to continue with Norway as the Facilitator
and hoped the abrogation of the CFA would liberate Norway to work now
with Tamil groups that had accepted democracy, since previously they
had worked only with the LTTE.
This was more important since the government was determined, as shown
by the recent prompt acceptance of the All Party Representative Committee
(APRC) proposals, to move to a political solution to the main Sri Lankan
problems. There were many moderate political parties in Sri Lanka which
were prepared to participate in democratic activity to justify their
claim to represent the people.
The Ambassador appreciated the briefing and affirmed the commitment
of Norway to work together with the Sri Lankan government to promote
a solution.
Meeting with H.E. Dr. Juan Somavia, Director
General of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Prof. Wijesinha spoke of the importance the government attached to
livelihood development in areas affected by conflict, and mentioned
that he had felt that the UN had paid insufficient attention to this
in coordinating Humanitarian Assistance. He mentioned a recent informative
study on aid programmes issued by the Institute of Policy Studies in
Sri Lanka which noted that this area had been not as well coordinated
as others after the Tsunami. DG ILO mentioned that there was a tendency
now to stress basic goals as emphasized in the UN's Millennium Development
Goals, but he appreciated that in the context of rehabilitation and
reintegration, there was need of more to ensure that former militants
would feel they would be advantaged by aid programmes.
Prof. Wijesinha also mentioned the need for greater stress on the globalization
of labour since, as noted in a seminal paper by Senator Pimentel of
the Philippines delivered to the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats,
the globalization agenda tended to concentrate on goods and services
and finances, areas in which the developed world was strong, rather
than on labour which was the strength of the developing world. DG ILO
appreciated the need for more work in this area, and mentioned his interest
in working together also with the political internationals.
Meeting with the Apostolic Nuncio Mgr. Silvano
M Tomasi, Head of the Holy See Observer Mission to the UN in Geneva
Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha thanked Mgr. Silvano M. Tomasi for the cooperation
between the Holy See and Sri Lanka in many areas of common interest,
and explained recent developments. He pointed out that it was inappropriate
to talk of the abrogation of the CFA as showing the Government's decision
to go for a military options, since the Government's decision to respond
to terrorist activity, so as to ensure it could not continue to adversely
impact citizens, had commenced over a year previously.
He explained efforts to ensure the confidence and support of the majority
of Tamils who abhorred violence and separatism whilst seeking greater
control over their own lives through political reform. He mentioned
the role that religious and educational leaders could play in representing
citizens' concerns, and mentioned the efforts, initiated by bishops
of the area, to establish a ferry service between the north and Mannar.
He explained that these efforts had been stymied by failure to get security
guarantees from the LTTE.
Meanwhile the Government, in advancing a political solution, understood
the need for promoting interaction between the communities as well as
enhancing opportunities for children from areas affected by war. The
Apostolic Nuncio appreciated the importance of such efforts and responded
positively to the suggestion that the Church could play a significant
role in enhancing educational opportunities, welcoming the concept paper
that Prof. Wijesinha handed to him.
Prof. Wijesinha also mentioned the proposal for a Zone of Peace around
Madhu that had been prominent in H.E. the President's election manifesto.
Though promoting this might not be immediately possible, he hoped that
the Church would assist in the project when the area was peaceful and
free of terrorist threats.
The Apostolic Nuncio mentioned the need to ensure that human rights
were safeguarded. Prof Wijesinha mentioned that this was the aim of
the government and that it would welcome UN assistance to strengthen
national institutions.
Meeting with Professor Walter Kalin, Representative
of the UNSG on IDPs
Prof Wijesinha expressed the general satisfaction of the Government
with Prof. Kalin's report, since it mentioned the efforts made by the
Sri Lankan Government to remedy the situation of IDPS, whilst drawing
attention to problems and making constructive suggestions as to how
these could be resolved. He stressed the desire of the Government to
implement the recommendations in the report as soon as possible.
He noted that 200 Tamil speaking recruits had been trained for the
police, and there were plans to recruit 400 more. He noted that the
reduction of LTTE threats had liberated Tamils and Muslims who were
willing to serve their country in this profession, and mentioned also
the concern about developing Tamil language skills in service personnel.
He noted efforts being made, with assistance from Consortium of Humanitarian
Agencies (CHA), to ensure, as Prof. Kalin had recommended, that contingency
plans were in place in case of sudden increases in people displaced
or otherwise adversely affected by conflict.
He mentioned his concerns about livelihood development, as discussed
also with the ILO, and Prof Kalin agreed that humanitarian assistance
and the development phase should go hand in hand to achieve short-term
and long-term results in such situations.
Professor Walter Kalin appreciated the commitment of the Government
to implement his recommendations. He affirmed the need to maintain exit
routes in conflict situations, and noted that this had been satisfactorily
done in the later stages of conflict in the east, though there had been
some problems earlier. He mentioned in this regard, the importance of
maintaining a regular dialogue with the security force commanders on
the ground.
Meeting with H. E. Mr. Nick Thorne, Permanent
Representative of the UK to the UN in Geneva
Professor Wijesinha reiterated requests he had made for better structured
UK assistance with police training and with rehabilitation programmes
in Sri Lanka. He appreciated Ambassador Thorne's previous memoranda
in this regard, but said that, after an initial meeting and very polite
telephone contact, he had not received a concrete response from the
High Commission in Colombo.
Since the (Department for International Development), DFID too had expressed
appreciation of the concepts, he hoped this could be expedited with
the arrival of a new High Commissioner, and he hoped that, with the
Ambassador's human rights concerns, he would assist in this.
Ambassador Thorne noted the limitations of his position in this respect
but said he would keep counterparts informed of the request as he had
done in the past. He noted continuing British concerns about human rights
monitoring, and was briefed about the UNDP report on the National Human
Rights Commission and Sri Lankan concerns with regard to recent statements
that might reflect on the current very helpful UN officials in Sri Lanka.
Meeting with H. E. Mr. Juan Antonio Fernandez
Palacios, Permanent Representative of Cuba to the UN in Geneva
Professor Wijesinha expressed his appreciation of the positive approach
of the Cuban Ambassador in discussions concerning Human Rights in Sri
Lanka. The Ambassador commended the commitment of the Permanent Mission
of Sri Lanka in Geneva in providing briefings on the Sri Lankan situation
and maintaining a regular flow of information to all delegations.
Meeting with H. E. Mr. Warren Tichenor, the
Permanent Representative of the US to the UN in Geneva
Prof. Wijesinha briefed the US Ambassador on the current political
situation in Sri Lanka and the reasons behind the Government's decision
to withdraw from the cease-fire agreement.
The US Ambassador reiterated the strong friendship between the two
countries and stated that the US condemned terrorism without any reservation.
The US Ambassador said that US had several concerns about Sri Lanka
with regard to alleged human rights violations. Prof. Wijesinha noted
the concerns and mentioned measures already taken with regard to some
of these such as over-crowding in prisons and the activities of former
militants. He agreed that more needed to be done, with assistance in
specific areas.
The Ambassador suggested the Government reconsider its decision and
allow an OHCHR field presence in Sri Lanka as proposed by the High Commissioner.
Prof. Wijesinha explained the background to the Government's rejection
of the proposal while pointing out the efforts the Government had made
to ensure cooperation with the OHCHR in improving the Human Rights situation.
He regretted advantages taken and anticipated both by opposition politicians
and proponents of the LTTE from statements that seemed unduly critical
of the Government, and in particular, the statement on Sri Lanka's withdrawal
from the CFA.
The US Ambassador appreciated the insights offered by Prof. Wijesinha
on a wide range of issues that obtained in a country fighting a terrorist
organization and affirmed the U.S. opposition to terrorism and its acceptance
of the need to resist this.
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