29.3.2008
The four-week-long Seventh Session
of the UN Human Rights Council which concluded yesterday
(March 28) in Geneva took action on more than 35 resolutions
and decisions on the promotion and protection of human rights
and Sri Lanka was not on its agenda once again.
There
was no action taken by the Council on the country's human
rights situation in any of the three standard forms, namely
a resolution, a special session or a statement by the President
of the Council.
A
clear majority of members of the Council showed their solidarity
with Sri Lanka in its efforts to promote and protect human
rights while combating terrorism. Reference to Sri Lanka's
human rights situation was made by several Western countries
and Sri Lankan and international NGOs which attended the
Seventh Session. However, such criticism fell well short
of gaining necessary support within the Council for any
specific action on Sri Lanka due to a successful briefing
campaign spearheaded by the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
to the UN in Geneva. This campaign was a part of Sri Lanka's
long-standing policy of open and constructive engagement
with the international community on human rights issues.
Courtesy
- Presidential Media Unit
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