Amid the diplomatic parleys to chalk out India’s stand at the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has categorically said the stress will be on an impartial and transparent enquiry into allegations of atrocities against them.
Making a statement in the Rajya Sabha on Friday in response to the anguish of the DMK and the AIADMK that the students’ agitation in Tamil Nadu protesting the alleged genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka might get out of control, Mr. Khurshid said India was in the process of deciding on the resolution to be adopted at the UNHRC meeting.
Enunciating the process undertaken to finalise the resolution, the Minister pointed out the efforts at engaging all member-countries in pursuit of the government’s commitment for a life of dignity and equality to Tamils in Sri Lanka. That had been the objective of the resolution last year, he pointed out, adding the government would do whatever was needed.
“The government is committed and whatever steps are needed will be taken,” Mr. Khurshid asserted.
He promised to get back to the House and inform the members of the government‘s stand as and when finalised.
Apart from a life of dignity and equality for Tamils, New Delhi would also insist on accountability and fair participation.
Both the DMK and the AIADMK insisted that the government move its own resolution at the UNHRC meeting.
Emphasising that the students were on the streets in Tamil Nadu, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva demanded that the government at least support the U.N. resolution and condemn the war crimes and institute an impartial international inquiry into the instances of human rights violations.
AIADMK apprehensive
AIADMK leader V. Maitreyan expressed apprehension that efforts were on to dilute the resolution. He warned that such an action would be unacceptable to the people of Tamil Nadu.
The issue was also raised in the Lok Sabha by T.R. Baalu (DMK) and M. Thambi Durai (AIADMK).
Keywords: Sri Lankan Tamils issues, U.S. resolution, Rajya Sabha, Salman Khurshid, AIADMK, DMK, Lok Sabha, U.N. resolution
India supporting or modifying and diluting the US sponsored resolution does not make a difference. As Selvi J demanded, there has to be a more comprehensive embargo, trading, shipping and every other possible embargo against the rump State of SL.
Such UN resolutions are less than so many that have been brought forth against Israel. India losing its regional integrity is all that could happened in the end and not a dent on Sri Lanka.
India is very much behind schedule to arrive at a precise stand on the
issue of the resolution being moved by U.S in UNHRC against Sri Lanka
for its role in human rights violations and ethnic killings during the
final stage of civil war. Factually India is supposed to take a
position reflecting sentiments of all our citizens especially from
Tamil Nadu, thus this time India will be displaying a weird decision!
Of course, whatever be the Indian stand and the outcome of the
resolution put forth in UNHRC against Sri Lanka, India must ensure
that Sri Lankan regime comes out with an indisputable political
solution after the inclusive rehabilitation of the war displaced
people.
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s ongoing session in
Geneva which will end on 22nd March 2013 will cover deliberations on
the human rights in Sri Lanka. Though the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), constituted by Sri Lanka had
pluckily documented shelling of civilians trapped between army and
LTTE during final phase of civil war, ironically the 5 members Court
of Enquiry under the Lankan Army had refuted the LRCC findings which
is lastly recognized by President as endorsed by the Defence
Secretary!
The visible flaw was that there cannot be any parallel between the Sri
Lanka and Middle-East issues. The scenario in Middle- East were
different that are connected with violation of law and order at both
ends while the Gaza strip was occupied by the Hamas. Innocent people
are entangled into the tussle between Israel and Palestinians. Israel
had mounted security precautions in the region due to movement of arms
together with civil supplies to the enclave in flotilla through the
Gaza strait.
As NAM had precisely let down Sri Lanka, proving that it will have to
avoid poking into complex issues that exists in the island nation,
India had actually gained an advantage to break silence on this issue,
but unfortunately India whiled away the time without taking any
constructive stand!
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