Lankans stage massive demo in Geneva, urge UNHRC not to undermine domestic efforts for reconciliatio

Tuesday, 25 March 2014 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A massive demonstration was held this afternoon at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) headquarters in Geneva with the participation of over 5,000 expatriate Sri Lankans in Europe. The demonstration with unprecedented high participation was organised by the United Sri Lanka organisation based in Europe to protest against the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka.

The demonstrators handed over a letter addressed to Michael MØller, Actg. Director General of the UN, Geneva and Navanetham Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urging them to give Sri Lanka adequate time and understanding to resolve the problems on its own without undue interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil Diaspora. They asked the world body not to undermine the domestic efforts of reconciliation. Sri Lankans living in Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands took part regardless of their political affiliations. Sri Lankans living in Australia and Canada also joined the demonstration. The petition submitted by the demonstrators pointed out that Sri Lanka has consistently interacted with the United Nations system and the wider international community in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation.

“We expect reciprocity in the cooperation between the UN system and Sri Lanka in order to fulfill its international obligations and commitments to bring about sustainable peace and reconciliation to all Sri Lankans,” the Sri Lankan community stated. “We reiterate that Sri Lanka should be given adequate time and understanding to resolve her problems by herself without undue interference from countries that are influenced by the Tamil Diaspora.” Expatriate Sri Lankans in Europe, headed by Unity for the United Sri Lanka organised many protest marches throughout Europe in the run up to the Geneva sessions. The first protest by this group was held in London in front of the official residence of British Prime Minister, David Cameron. When the protest in France was held on 19 March, the pro-LTTE Tamil Diaspora crowd tried to disrupt the protest waving the banned organisation’s flag. French police intervened and dispersed them. The protest in front of the Italian parliament building lasted for more than two hours. The Italian Government provided police security for the protest march. The protesters handed over a letter addressed to Prime Minister Giorgio Napolitano through a staff member.