Prevent HR being used as political tool: GL tells NAM
Tuesday, 1 October 2013 00:50
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka has proposed that the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) collectively seeks to oppose human rights being used a political tool and that the same standards of judgment be applied to all countries in keeping with the basic tenets of the UN in the equal treatment of member states.
Addressing the Ministerial meeting of the Non Aligned Meeting (NAM) External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris cautioned the NAM against a disproportionate attention on political issues which would undermine the more important focus on economic and social aspects, the External Affairs Ministry said in a media release.
He underscored the imperative need for the NAM to work together and speak in one voice, to effectively benefit the peoples of the member nations.
He noted that a hallmark of the NAM is to resolve and judge issues based on their own merit. The Minister pointed out however, that in today’s multilateral context, conclusions are arrived at even before their deliberation and all too often lead to voting on issues becoming a political exercise, thereby undermining the confidence in the multilateral system.
The Minister also underscored the need for conclusions to be just and equitable which has been the consistent practice of the NAM. In this context Minister Peiris urged the NAM to play a role in ensuring having issues judged on its merits by the international community as a whole.
