The statement by the Sri Lanka delegation to the Sixth Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 21st September 2007 at Palais des Nations in Geneva emphasized the strong commitment of the Government to eradicate the heinous practice of child recruitment.
Madam Moderator,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Asian Group.
First of all let me express our thanks to the President of the Human Rights Council and members of the Bureau for providing a space for this discussion on gender perspective in the work of the Human Rights Council. We also take this opprtunity to thank to all those delegations who were instrumental for this initiative. This is a good opportunity for exchange of views on this important subject.
“In the coming months I very much look forward to country visits to both Sri Lanka and Afghanistan” said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mme. Louise Arbour in her closing remarks at the 6th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council held at the Palais de Nations, Geneva, on 13th and 14th September 2007.
Responding to her statement, and the one paragraph references to Sri Lanka in the Statement of the European Union read out by the Ambassador of Portugal (the current president of the EU) during the general debate, Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva said that the visit of the High Commissioner was one of a number of initiatives taken by the Govt of Sri Lanka including visits by two UN Special Rapporteurs and a high level delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). He said that Sri Lanka has proven its willingness to have an open and constructive dialogue with the international community and UN Human Rights mechanisms at a difficult time when a ruthless and continuing terrorist war was being waged against it by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
I wish to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Zdzislaw Galicki, Special Rapporteur, on the topic “Obligation to Extradition or Prosecute” for his second report and for his comprehensive introduction. I have also found his preliminary report together with the preliminary plan of action extremely informative and undoubtedly provides useful material and guidance for the future work of the Commission, on this important topic.
Expulsion of Aliens – Statement by Dr. Rohan Perera, Legal Advisor, Member of the International Law Commission – 59th Session of the International Law Commission – 25th July 2007
I wish to join the previous Speakers in thanking Mr. Maurice Kamto, Special Rapporteur on the topic ‘Expulsion of Aliens’ for his very substantive and thought-provoking Third Report and for the comprehensive presentation made last morning.
Sri Lankan delegation states that the country has successfully managed to control and contain the HIV epidemic on 27th July 2007 under Agenda item 7 (h) at Substantive Session of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) held in Geneva.
Here is the full text of the Statement.
Statement by Sri Lanka delegation (by Mr. O.L. Ameerajwad, Counsellor) under Agenda item 7 (h) at Substantive Session of ECOSOC 2007 on 27 July 2007
Sri Lankan delegation expressed its serious concern with regard to the recent trend of equating and clustering of countries and putting them in different baskets as a means of expressing the nature of different humanitarian situations in the world on 25th July 2007 under the item 14 (e) of the General Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) being held in Geneva.
I would like to begin with by expressing my Delegation’s sincere appreciation for the excellent work done by the UN Secretariat in preparing for this meeting. At the same time I thank you in leading the efforts of this important Humanitarian Affairs Segment in this years’ substantive Session of ECOSOC.
Sri Lanka is a country with an established tradition of democratic government. Fundamental rights are guaranteed in our Constitution and every organ of State is under a duty to respect, secure and advance these rights and freedoms said Hon.Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe addressing the meeting held in the UN Office in Geneva on 17 July to launch the "Humanitarian Appeal 2007: Mid-Year Review" organised by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva. Hon. Minister was present at the occasion on the invitation by Mr. John Holms, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. The Mid-Year Review of the 2007 Common Humanitarian Action Plan of the UN requests the international donor community to contribute US$ 98 million towards humanitarian operations in Sri Lanka.
Mr. President,
Let me, first of all, congratulate you for leading this important Humanitarian Affairs Segment in this year’s Substantive session of the ECOSOC and express sincere appreciation of my delegation to the Bureau and the UN Secretariat for the excellent arrangement made in preparation of this meeting.
Mr. President
My delegation wishes to express deep appreciation to you, for your tireless efforts in preparing a new text on institutional building of the Human Rights Council, which constitutes a good basis for our further work. You may be rest assured of the fullest cooperation of my delegation in achieving a consensual outcome of the entire package of the institutional building process, by the end of the 5th Session.
Since I am taking the floor for the first time, permit me to extend to the Chairman Mr. Ian Brownlie, you Mr. Vice-Chairman and other members of the Bureau my warm felicitations on your elections to the Bureau of the Commission. Under the able leadership and wise guidance of the Chairman and the Members of the Bureau, I have every confidence that the work of the 59th Session of the ILC would be extremely productive and achieve the objectives that it has set for itself. As a new member of the Commission I will make every endeavour to assist the Commission in this task.
Mme. President, Director General, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
First let me congratulate you Mme. President and our Vice Presidents for your election to this high office.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka I wish to offer my special congratulations and best wishes to our Director General, Dr Margaret Chan for being elected to lead this Organization for the next five years. With the exceptional commitment and leadership that Dr. Chan brings to her work, we have the utmost confidence that WHO and the future health of the world, is in very safe hands.
I call to order the 1061st plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament.
I have the honour to convey the following message of good wishes addressed to the Conference by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Hon. Rohitha Bogollagama.
‘I have great pleasure in addressing this special message on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s assumption of the Presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. As a small, yet always engaged member State of the United Nations, Sri Lanka’s assumption of the Presidency of this Conference is yet another manifestation of its commitment to and belief in multilateral diplomacy as the indispensable means to address major global challenges and enhance the prospects of a stable, just and peaceful world. The Conference on Disarmament, as the sole multilateral negotiating body on disarmament matters has a proud history of codification and remains relevant in our constant endeavour to free the world from all weapons of mass destruction.
Mr. President,
On behalf of the Government and the delegation of Sri Lanka, let me extend our sincere congratulations to you and the Vice Presidents on your election to preside over the 95th Session of the International Labour Conference. We also greet Director General Somavia, thank him for the comprehensive presentation of the three Reports, and support the recommendations for action.
Mr. Chairman,
The statement of the EU delegation under this Item highlighted human rights concerns in respect of several countries, including Sri Lanka. The Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Mr. Philip Alston, in his introductory statement presenting his report, also referred to Sri Lanka.
We appreciate the Special Rapporteur's abiding interest in Sri Lanka, following his recent official visit to my country and thank the EU delegation, for its support for pursuit of peace and promotion of human rights in my country. My delegation however, would like to take this opportunity to clarify some aspects of all concerns expressed and brief this Committee on recent developments in Sri Lanka.
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