En route to and from Geneva to attend the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Secretary-General of the Peace Secretariat took the opportunity to engage with individuals and institutions in Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, to explain recent progress in the peace process.
Immediately following the election of Boris Johnson as the new Mayor of London, Prof Wijesinha, accompanied by Mr Maxwell Keegel of the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, met the new Deputy Mayor for Government Relations, Mr Ian Clement. Prof Wijesinha explained the difficulties Sri Lanka faced in view of what seemed support extended to the LTTE and its front organizations by the former Mayor of London. It was known that the LTTE, by whipping up votes for the previous Mayor amongst the Tamil community in London, thought to receive continuing support. It was hoped that the change in incumbency would lead to an approach more in conformity with the actions the British government was now taking to control terrorist funding.
In response Mr Clement noted that the previous administration's conduct of a 'foreign policy' independent of the British government's had been regarded as an abuse by Londoners and the new Mayor had a very different approach. Whilst the new administration would not take up any political position on such international issues, it was opposed to terrorism and would not wish to see London used for fund raising for terrorist purposes. Mr. Clement concluded by wishing Sri Lanka well.
Prof Wijesinha was also interviewed by the BBC concerning developments in the peace process through implementation of the 13th amendment. He explained the manner in which space had been created for moderate Tamil forces that were committed to democratic politics. Provincial and other elections in the East, held despite discouragement even from institutions such as the European Union, had confirmed the effectiveness of political involvement as opposed to terrorism.In response to questions about Col Karuna, Prof Wijesinha explained that he had always assumed charges would not be brought in Britain, since those who had raised the issue for political gain were well aware that charges, if any were appropriate, related to the period in which Col Karuna had been part of the LTTE. The apprehensions of the interviewer that Col Karuna might want to become Chief Minister of the Eastern Province if he were sent back to Sri Lanka were laid at rest, with Prof Wijesinha pointing out that Col Karuna, who had been brutalized in his time with the LTTE but was trying to escape from that experience, probably preferred to stay on in England. He noted that Britain could contribute to the peace process by also offering a safe haven to Prabhakaran.
Following the Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva, Prof Wijesinha proceeded to Belfast where he presented a paper on child soldiers to a meeting of the Human Rights Committee of Liberal International. He also chaired a session on the ‘Status of Freedom and Democracy’ at a Roundtable of the Asian, African, Latin American and Middle East Liberal Networks. The Sri Lankan delegation also ensured an appropriate amendment to the reference to Sri Lanka in the main resolution passed by the Congress, to draw attention to civilian casualties all over the country.After the Congress concluded, Prof Wijesinha proceeded to Dublin where he met Isolde Moylan of the South Asia desk of the Irish Foreign Ministry, along with representatives of the Human Rights and the Conflict Resolution divisions. Prof Wijesinha was accompanied by the Sri Lanka Honorary Consul for Ireland, Dr Aelred Samarakoon, who facilitated his visit.The visit had been arranged not only to brief Ireland about the ongoing peace process, but also to address in detail questions raised by Ireland during the Universal Periodic Review. Prof Wijesinha noted that Ireland had not insinuated any preconceptions through its questioning, and he welcomed discussion about issues based on genuine concern.
He explained matters relating to the national Human Rights Commission, and that a favourable report on the efforts it was making and how these could be assisted had been suppressed within the UN system. It was agreed that building up the Commission, which the UN in Sri Lanka was finally engaging in, was desirable, as was enhanced training with regard to human rights as well as professional skills for the police. The Irish experience of ensuring integration in the police in Northern Ireland was also discussed, and it was noted that the innovation introduced by the current Sri Lankan government, of recruiting Tamil policemen, was a healthy step forward.With regard to questions of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings, as well as threats to journalists, Prof Wijesinha explained why the situation had been bad in 2006 and early 2007, following the loosening of the tight controls the LTTE had exercised in areas brought under its sway through the Ceasefire Agreement. He noted that there had been significant improvements since, and that the government was committed to stopping abuses altogether, but it was agreed that swifter action was required with regard to indictments so that a clear message was conveyed to those acting in contravention of government policy.
Prof Wijesinha explained the importance of ongoing political developments, and the appointment of a Tamil Chief Minister for the East, which should serve to make clear that the road to empowerment lay through politics rather than terrorism. In response to the claim that extremists also had to be accommodated, Prof Wijesinha noted that the government was always ready to engage, but this would not be at the expense of moderates. He pointed out how intransigent the LTTE had been, and also how Western elements in the international community, in citing Irish precedents, failed to note that the IRA had actively entered the political process only after their fundraising had been curtailed and operations had been weakened by British infiltration. It was also noted that confidence had arisen because they had decommissioned arms, but this was not insisted on as far as the LTTE was concerned.It was agreed that, whilst study of other processes was always useful, there would always be differences which needed to be taken into consideration. The meeting concluded with the Irish welcoming the engagement and noting that they were always ready to assist as possible if invited to do so.
(Courtesy : SCOPP)