Salem-News.com
Feb-02-2012 09:30
(COLOMBO) -
Cabinet
Minister of Transnational Government, Mrs Balambihai Murugadas Minister for
Women, Children and Elderly Affairs of the Transnational Government of Tamil
Eelam (TGTE), lodged the maiden question to the visiting Foreign Minister of
Canada Hon John Baird at the Royal Commonwealth Society lecture on 23 Jan 2012
which took the Government contingent by surprise.
The Foreign
Ministry contingent led by Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to the UK Dr Chris
Nonis had to change tactic and react in submission. In a lecture focused
predominantly on human rights, Foreign Minister John Baird articulated his
country's foreign policy on human rights by bringing out examples where Canada
had made an impact in the past present and may be in future. He was not
forgiving for his John Russell Bairdcountry's western, Christian values and he said that Canada
stands firm on those values.
John Baird even
was apologetic to a Chinese Canadian and restated the Prime Minister's formal
apology for a legislation that was passed in Canada back in the eighteen
hundreds discriminating particularly the Chinese Canadians. John Baird said
''we have not been right all the time and we will readily admit it'' After his
resounding and well written speech, the first question was posted by RCS's
Chairman Mr. Peter Kellner: Your speech on human rights was remarkable.
Thank
you very much. However I noticed that you didn't mention Sri Lanka specifically
in this speech, however we know that you have been very vocal on that country's
human rights records...where do you think we as international community,. The
Commonwealth etc. should go from here with regards to Sri Lanka?
Answer JB: Our
Prime Minister and I as foreign minister of Canada have been highlighting
issues and the deteriorating record on human rights in Sri Lanka at many
international forums like the UN General Assembly, at CHOGM in October last
year in Perth and at many other occasions. Our Prime Minister has made it clear
that if most of ..or all of the three conditions...
1. Address the
accountability issue of what went on at the end of war back in 2009 to the
satisfaction of all in Sri Lanka and the international community..
2. Begin a
process of genuine reconciliation with the minority Tamil community
3. Quite frankly
there is a growing authoritarian trend by the government in Colombo
...are not
satisfied, he will not be attending the next CHOGM in Colombo in 2013. We are
working with like minded governments in the region and others to see how to
improve the situation in Sri Lanka and we will continue to be in dialogue with
them and the government of Sri Lanka itself. It's not looking good right now..
The very first
question from the audience was posed by Mr Vijay Jeyanthan - Permanent
Secretary of the Ministry for Women, Children and Elderly Affairs of the
Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam:
"Thank you. My name is Vijay
Jeyanthan and I am speaking on behalf of Rt Hon Mrs Balambihai Murugadas
Minister for Women, Children and Elderly Affairs of the Transnational
Government of Tamil Eelam. Foreign Minister we welcome Canada's position on Sri
Lanka on the war crimes issue. The International Crisis Group released a report
last month regarding the dire situation faced by Tamil women in the north and
east of Sri Lanka. It is now almost three years since the end of the war and
the north and east remains extremely militarized. I would like to ask what the
Commonwealth and Canada can do to improve the security situation in the daily
lives of Tamil women. Thank you" -
Answer JB: Yes
we are aware of the ICG report and others which report on the issue of high
military presence in the north of Sri Lanka and the continuing human rights
issues faced by the Tamil minority community there....like I said before we as
a government will not shy away from highlighting these issues in international
forums and wherever we can. We will continue to do so until the situation is
rectified. Canada will stand for its principle position and stand up for the
values that we believe in.
Q - Dr Shiranee
Joseph: I just want to know where you are getting this information of women
being abused and others in Sri Lanka...What is your source of information.
Thank you.
Answer JB: Our
main source is our Embassy in Colombo. However we also get information from
NGOs, media organisations, local institutions and others. However the main source
is our post in Colombo. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the UK Dr Chris Nonis
was present at the lecture and at the reception thereafter with a crew of some
8 to 10 staff and volunteers (men and women) mingling in the crowd. Dr Shiranee
Joseph was one of the 10 who also asked a question from the FM.
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