The scorn with which International Pressure is dealt with – UPR review

In  Globalized world of seamless borders we continue to believe that an isolationist and jingoistic approach will suit our situation best. Whilst the Govt. of Sri Lanka may think so, it is up to the people of Sri Lanka to wake up to reality and know that the US$7B that is remitted from other countries is due to Globalization and the export of human resources. That in turn has enabled the Govt. to shun globalization at their peril.

If not for the million and a half and counting disenfranchised citizens who prop up this administration with their earnings and its waste by the state, there would be no room for this  pigheadedness. 

The absolute scorn and derision that the Universal Periodic Review process of the UNHRC in Geneva is dealt with by an increasingly cocky Sri Lankan Government puts enormous pressure on the UN system and its credibility.

For the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) to reject outright, 100 of 210 motions is unprecedented in the annals of UN history. The second worst being Myanmar a few years ago, which rejected 95. Rejection per se is not an issue, if the GOSL genuinely believes they are unreasonable. So in the past the action taken on those accepted if they are an indication is nevertheless appalling. Out of the 71 pledges they accepted last time, they have not done anything on 52 of them. So what good is the pledge? Any guess as to how many of the 110 they accepted, would be acted on? Perhaps 5 if we are lucky.

This process therefore is a waste of time, and a waste of resources sending our people to Geneva to make a fool of themselves, and in turn the Country. It is better not to go at all and end this charade. The GOSL is comfortable in their skin to act in this way, knowing nothing will come to harm them, with an international community hidebound by bureaucracy and processes that prevent effective policing of wrongdoing and wrongdoers.

There is a lot of talk about external interference in our internal affairs, but the reality is that it amounts to a hill of beans. There is NO substance in the threats and we know it. We can therefore act with impunity, holding international law to a worthless piece of paper, though we are signatories to many of the laws and conventions. This threat is for political reasons to keep the electorate engaged.

It is time for those who care about Sri Lanka, not just what others think of it, but of what is happening within its shores to act independently against this onslaught and take a stand. We may not get any support from outside, in fact when action is taken we must assume that there will be NO support from outside, as anyone wishing to support us will do so for their self interest over ours, and that is the same for China who if they have pledged to prop up the regime, will do so if they have been given sufficient assurances of what they will get out of this friendship.

We the people must therefore put the Country first, explain to our fellow citizens that the GOSL is putting personal interests before the Country’s and singlemindedly go ahead with a plan of action that will get the traction it needs for public acceptance on who really is capable of and able to defend the Country.