JVP says human rights issue used as political tool

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) accused the current and former Government of using the human rights issue used as political tool.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said that the resolution on Sri Lanka adopted at the UN Human Rights Council last week?is not a “historic victory” for the country as claimed by the Government.

He said that the resolution, which being watered down, still calls for foreign intervention in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs.

“There are some clauses we can accept but there are some we should not. So overall accepting this resolution could pose a threat to our country,” he said.

He said that as a country it is important to understand what has been placed before Sri Lanka and the JVP feels there is an attempt by the UN and some powerful countries to use Sri Lanka to meet their needs.

The?JVP General Secretary also noted that the United States is attempting to defend human rights when the US military has been accused of human rights violations through its military operations?in foreign?countries.

Silva blamed the former Government for allowing the Sri Lankan issue to go international by?issuing separate joint statements?with the UN and India on how the post war situation will be addressed, including through the 13th amendment to the Constitution.

Tilvin Silva said that by failing to abide by the joint statements, the former Government opened the doors for the UNHRC to place Sri Lanka on the agenda. (Colombo Gazette)