:. NewsLine : Ambassador says why Sri Lanka objects to larger OHCHR presence

NewsLine

Monday, March 17, 2008 - 04.50 GMT			Back
Ambassador says why Sri Lanka objects to larger OHCHR presence

Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, Geneva told a panel discussion titled `War, Peace and Human Rights: Sri Lanka after the Eastern Elections', was held today (Friday, March 14th) on the sidelines of the Seventh Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva explained Sri Lanka's current disinclination to accede to the demand for a large scale standing presence of the OHCHR.

He gave three reasons for it. They are:

“Firstly he explained that Sri Lanka was not an emerging democracy recently liberated from a one party democracy or military dictatorship. . Sri Lanka has had parliamentary democracy since 1931 and independence since 1948 and therefore had well-developed national institutions.

“Secondly, he said that several counties which had field offices of the OHCHR advised Sri Lanka in discussions with the Minister of Human Rights and our delegation, that given their experience, and Sri Lanka's situation, the most effective solution for Sri Lanka is to strengthen our national institutions.

“Thirdly he said that many countries within the Human Rights Council had called for better regional representation and transparency of the OHCHR.”

Once this has been achieved, Sri Lanka may be able to consider a new equation with the Office, but until then certain questions did not arise, he added.

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