19th Sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held in Geneva
From 27th February 2012.
The Sri Lankan Question will figure prominently at the above sessions. Two Reports – the report of the Experts Panel appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka – have addressed issues of grave violations of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws, the causes of the conflict, the need to evolve an acceptable Political Solution as the means to achieving genuine reconciliation, demilitarisation, the need to curb paramilitary groups, the need to strengthen civilian administration, access to information, media freedom, transparency in regard to detention and access to detainees and other issues.
These are matters of vital concern to the people whom the Tamil National Alliance represents in Parliament and who were primarily the victims of the conflict, and for whom the war and the manner in which it was waged had dire and disastrous consequences.
The Tamil National Alliance has a legitimate concern in any proceedings at which such issues are discussed.
The Tamil National Alliance has stated its position publicly in regard to the said two reports, and reiterates this position.
The Tamil National Alliance also states that it is the dismal failure of the Sri Lankan State for well nigh six decades to fulfill its obligations by a multi-national multi-cultural and plural society that constitutes the peoples of Sri Lanka, and its dismal failure to conform to International Treaties and Covenants to which it has subscribed that has resulted in the Sri Lankan State having to face its present predicament.
The Tamil National Alliance has publicly stated its commitment to a reasonable workable and durable political solution within the framework of a united and undivided Sri Lanka and reiterates its commitment to the said position. The Tamil National Alliance has constructively engaged with the Government to evolve such an acceptable solution for over a year, but has not achieved any progress due to the Government’s lack of sincere commitment towards the evolution of an acceptable political solution.
The Sri Lankan State has a notorious reputation for failure to fulfill commitments it makes, and for not making public reports of processes which could hold it accountable.
The Tamil National Alliance genuinely fears that if the present unstable situation continues, violence could recur and the civilian population could again be the victims.
The Tamil National Alliance considers it imperative that in the present situation calm should be maintained, and that nothing should be done which could exacerbate tensions.
In these circumstances The Tamil National Alliance has decided not to be present in Geneva.
The Tamil National Alliance appeals to the Government of Sri Lanka, in the interests of the country as a whole to realize that its current predicament is attributable solely to its acts of omission and commission, and that it should not impede in any manner constructive steps towards the final resolution of the conflict.
R.SAMPANTHAN
Leader Tamil National Alliance
25th February 2012