|
|
UNHRC: Lanka gains 101 votes
Thursday, 22 May 2008 - 11:31 AM SL Time
|
|
|
Sri Lanka yesterday obtained an absolute majority at the vote for the UN Human Rights Council, gaining 101 out of 192 votes on offer.
Out of the six countries which vied for four slots on offer for Asia, Japan, South Korea, Bahrain and Pakistan secured seats leaving behind Sri Lanka and East Timor. Candidates for the council are chosen by regional groups, and the 192-member General Assembly votes by region by secret ballot.
Analysts said yesterday that 101 countries expressing confidence in Sri Lanka, enabling it to obtaining an absolute majority was in itself was a victory despite an anti-Sri Lanka campaign by some individuals and organisations.
Any such criticism regarding Sri Lanka`s human rights record should only be levelled after a careful study of the whole picture, in addition to giving due consideration to the views of all parties, said Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on the eve of the vote yesterday.
The Minister said that comments by former US President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and some other groups to this effect were ill timed, and that they had never given the Government a chance to answer the allegations beforehand.
He also alleged that some local groups and individuals with vested interests too were behind this campaign to prevent Sri Lanka`s continued presence at the Council. The report of the working group on the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka was unanimously adopted on Monday at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The Minister said that Sri Lanka`s National report, which was presented at the UPR had come in for high praise at the working group, as a comprehensive and detailed document that was forthright and candid about the situation facing Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the report the Minister said that it presented a descriptive and accurate picture of the prevailing human rights situation and identified national priorities and capacity building needs.
He also said that the report highlighted strengths and identified challenges Sri Lanka faces as a nation in its efforts to promote and protect human rights. As a founder member of the Council formed in 2006, Sri Lanka has played a constructive role to develop mechanisms such as the UPR and also to engage in institution building of the Council he said.
He also noted that as a former coordinator of the 13 member Asian regional grouping within the Council and as the holder of the Vice-presidency since 2007, Sri Lanka has helped to build consensus and has cooperated with fellow member states to uplift human rights promotion and protection in the globe.
For two seats in the group of Western states, France received 123 votes and Britain 120 votes - just one vote more than Spain which got 119 votes. The other contested race was for two seats in the Eastern European group. Slovakia and Ukraine defeated Serbia and the Czech Republic.
|
|
|
Goodfinger
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 135
Member Profile
|
 22 May 2008 09:37:06 GMT Report for Abuse
|
My sincerest congratulations to Sri Lanka!
This is a remarkable achievement, imagine that so many countries fully support Sri Lanka. A job well done By Mahinda Samarasinghe, these 101 votes will have fantastic impact in the future.
Oh, by the way, I know it is irrelevant, but how does this affect Sri Lankas seat at the Human Rights Council? |
Damed
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2352
Member Profile
|
 22 May 2008 10:03:01 GMT Report for Abuse
|
What else expect under all rubbish throne at.
It explains how UNHRC has failed in conflict zones.
Excellent performance MR and his officials concerned. |
SenaM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1818
Member Profile
|
22 May 2008 16:00:10 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Only 4 Seats available .. and we came-in 5th with 101 votes. Not bad
We'd have some-thing to worry about, if East Timor got-in a-head of us .. and was 'awarded' a 'Seat', and we were denied one. |
ModaMutha
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 170
Member Profile
|
 22 May 2008 16:05:43 GMT Report for Abuse
|
UNHRC: Lanka gains 101 votes
daily miror doing it's best to show 101 votes a success. It is like Operation success but the patient dead.
Sinhala modayas deserved such a medias.
|
SenaM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1818
Member Profile
|
22 May 2008 16:52:37 GMT Report for Abuse
|
.. 101 votes (for Sri Lanka), a success ?
Depends how you look at it .. after all 101 Nations voted 'for' SL. This number would have included India, China .. and possibly France and the USA. (Japan would have voted for us, but she herself was a candidate, and may not have been able to cast her vote in our favour). It means those Nations voting for SL were 'saying in other words' .. faced with a 'difficult' situation, Sri Lanka is 'acting' responsibly .. doing its 'best' to cope with the challenges 'coming from' a ruthless terrorist organisation. (They would have been aware of recent 'bus-bombings' in Colombo & else-where by this same terrorist group .. also of the killing of a prominent Tamil Minister by a 'suicide bomber' while attending/officiating at a public function).
For SL it is not the amorphous' UN that matters .. but the understanding and support of prominent/powerful nations of the world, like .. China, Japan, India, Russia, USA, UK, France, Germany .. We would have had the sympathy/understanding of all these nations, but more pertinent loyalties of their own may have prevented some them casting their votes in our favour.
Edited By - SenaM - 22 May 2008 17:05:49 GMT |
gamiya
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1117
Member Profile
|
 22 May 2008 20:47:14 GMT Report for Abuse
|
| Sri Lanka has an absolute Majority support in the UN. 101/192, running against Giant's in the region is very good. |
Sintamus
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3279
Member Profile
|
 22 May 2008 21:49:47 GMT Report for Abuse
|
East Timor gained 92 votes and claims that she has got the support and confidence of 92 countries. Everything written above in support of Sri Lankan defeat is equally applicable to East Timor.
It is better to halt the HR Violations rather than finding out excuses to show that Sri Lanka's defaet is in fact a 'vistory'. |
AlfredSen
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 59
Member Profile
|
23 May 2008 02:04:13 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Absolutely 'Damed'
You Deserve the Rubbish throne! Now I know there are 'Sinhalayas' who act and think like LTTE. Damed! Nothing wrong with us. Its the NGO supporters who think LTTE in their belief East Timor deserves a 'seat'. |
samanj
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1927
Member Profile
|
 23 May 2008 17:16:06 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Pro Western world against us but yet we managed over 50% OF VOTES..........
Creditable performance.
This is in another term recognition.. |
Vishnu
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1456
Member Profile
|
 24 May 2008 00:17:12 GMT Report for Abuse
|
Samanj,
Was this election monitored. There were lot of corruption, violance, underhand tactics etc.
BTW, government is going to audit HR related NGOs in the country. Not only should this be done, but also their names and addresses, with the amounts received must be made public for us to know. |
|
Search All News and Discussions