28.3.2008
 H.E.
Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Human Rights Council
Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka Ambassador
and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United
Nations at the Seventh Session of the Human Rights Council
prior to the adoption of the Resolution titled "Composition
of the staff of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights", A/HRC/7/L.8/Rev.1.
"Mr.
President, Sri Lanka urges that the sprit of this initiative
be recognized by all in this house. The spirit of the initiative
which Sri Lanka is supporting is not directed against the
Office of the High Commissioner. It is intended to strengthen
the Office by strengthening its credibility. It is intended
to enhance the independence of the Office of the High Commissioner.
Mr.
President, we need an Office which will be a lighthouse
of human rights, a lighthouse whose beam plays across the
horizon back and forth. We do not need an Office which is
opaque or indecipherable, standing above us like Kafka's
castle. This is why Sri Lanka supports the effort to make
the Office more authentically representative of regions
and peoples.
We
believe that in so broadbasing the Office, in making it
a more accurate mirror of the planet, it will be able to
discharge its functions far more effectively and it will
find itself a more greatly empowered and authentically independent
institution. Not independent of some but dependent on others,
but independent of all above the fray and recognized as
such universally. Thank you, Mr. President."
Statement
by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Seventh
Session of the Human Rights Council prior to the adoption
of the Resolution titled "Mandate of the independent
expert on the effects of foreign debt and other related
international financial obligations of States on the full
enjoyment of all human rights, particularly economic, social
and cultural rights", A/HRC/7/L.9.
"Thank
you, Mr. President, Sri Lanka will support the text because
we do not agree with the criticism that much of the substance
belongs elsewhere. Mr. President, the Human Rights Council
must not give up the responsibility to examine human rights
in a holistic manner. This includes discussing the roots
and context in which violations of human rights take place.
Mr.
President, we also know the famous divide between socio-economic
and cultural rights on the one hand and political rights
on the other. This is sometimes referred to as the distinction
between individual and collective rights. We believe that
this text attempts to bridge this divide. It is a bridging
exercise that is vitally necessary. Bringing together the
concerns of individuals and collectives, of North and South.
For this reason, Sri Lanka shall vote yes if it comes up
for a vote. Thank you."
Statement
by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka at the Seventh
Session of the Human Rights Council prior to the adoption
of the Resolution titled "Mandate of the independent
expert on human rights and international solidarity",
A/HRC/7/L.12.
"Thank
you, Mr. President, Sri Lanka intends to vote yes for two
very simple but very fundamental reasons. Mr. President,
we know the lamentable effects of the split between the
three great slogans, the triad of slogans of the French
revolution: liberty, equality and fraternity. One part of
the world privileged one of the three terms, and another
part of the world, during the 20th century, privileged the
other two. We think that the triadic nature of the three
goals should be emphasized and we think this text by focusing
on solidarity, brings back the dimension of equality and
fraternity, linking it with the great goal of liberty.
The
second reason, Mr. President that we shall vote in favour
is that we remember the words, the phrase, of the late Pope
John Paul II who repeatedly spoke of the need for the globalization
of solidarity. For these two reasons Mr. President, we shall
vote in favour. Thank you."
Courtesy:
The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN office - Geneva
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