Entry to Sri Lanka has been denied to participants of an International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) high-level delegation which includes the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul, and the first UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers ParamCumaraswamy, IBAHRI said. Issuing a statement the IBAHRI also stated: The group has had its visas revoked officially, or de facto, notwithstanding the public assurance from Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Chris Nonis, on 30 April in a BBC interview, that representatives of IBAHRI ‘Are absolutely welcome to come in.’ And that ‘…if any institution is formally invited… naturally of course we would [let them in]’. The IBAHRI delegation was intending to travel to Colombo, to participate in a conference co-hosted by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the IBAHRI entitled ‘Making Commonwealth Values a Reality: the Rule of Law and the Independence of the Legal Profession’. More than 200 lawyers and diplomats are registered to attend the event, which aims to promote scrutiny and discussion on international Commonwealth obligations and values regarding the independence of the legal profession. The Conference is scheduled to take place on 13 November ahead of the start of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM: 14–17 November 2013) in Colombo where more than 50 Heads of Commonwealth countries will gather. Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, IBAHRI Co-Chair commented, ‘We deeply regret the Government of Sri Lanka’s decision to deny entry of an International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute delegation for a second time.’ She added, ‘It is not so long ago that Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom DrNonis was on record saying that IBAHRI representatives would be allowed into Sri Lanka. It is very disappointing that such action has been taken to block entry, particularly as Sri Lanka is incoming Chair in Office of the Commonwealth, and host of CHOGM 2013.’ The IBAHRI delegation had been issued visas from the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Colombo on 28 August 2013. On 30 October, the IBAHRI began to receive reports from Colombo that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not want the Conference to proceed and that IBAHRI delegates’ visas would be revoked or delegates would be blocked from entering Sri Lanka on arrival at the airport. On 31 October, the IBA’s Executive Director, Mark Ellis wrote to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, requesting full clarification on the status of all visas of the IBAHRI delegation. A response was not received. Another letter was sent to DrNonis on 1 November. On 6 November a letter was received from the Deputy High Commissioner, Neville de Silva, which stated there had been a Government decision to have “an embargoed period” between 20 October and 20 November because of the forthcoming CHOGM 2013. The Ministry has said it is not in a position to facilitate any visits by foreign dignitaries, officials and others who would be participants at seminars and conferences during this period’ SternfordMoyo, IBAHRI Co-Chair commented ‘By denying entry to the IBAHRI delegation the Government of Sri Lanka is demonstrating to the world its determination to block freedom of speech and independent discussion in the country, leaving the Commonwealth Heads cocooned and isolated.’ He continued, ‘If the Commonwealth is to have any relevance in today’s world, it must act swiftly and decisively to ensure that Sri Lanka engages meaningfully with human rights.’ Views : 3282 SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend Comments -0+1 # Saskia 2013-11-07 18:46 SL is famous for denying things nowadays. Anyway, this shows the world that they are trying to hide things. This attitude will bring the country to hell one day. Reply # Nodrog 2013-11-09 06:48 Its you guys who are in denial about not getting your elusive eelam. You are going to be very disappointed one day soon. Reply # Dudley 2013-11-07 19:01 BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS Jaw-dropping breakthrough hailed as landmark in fight against hereditary diseases as Crispr technique heralds genetic revolution timesofindia.indiatimes/home/science/Jaw-dropping-breakthrough-hailed-as-landmark-in-fight-against-hereditary-diseases-as-Crispr-technique-heralds-genetic-revolution/articleshow/25384881.cms Reply -3+0 # Gamey Kolla 2013-11-07 19:46 We can understand that the IBAHRIs style of organizing events is the same that of Channel 4. there is a saying in Sinhala. kabala rath una velave rotiya puchchagannava kiyala Reply -1+0 # Jan Chandra 2013-11-08 15:02 At last the Govt. is standing on its feet.a4nb8 Reply -1+0 # dickie bird 2013-11-07 20:39 Good. Way to deal. Reply -0+2 # hb 2013-11-07 21:24 Channel-4 allowed, but the IBA delegation denied. Is IBA (which stands for the rule of law and independence of the judiciary) more dangerous than the channel-4 which makes false allegations against the armed forces? Reply -0+1 # shan 2013-11-07 21:53 When our Chief justice has no justice, what visa for you IBAHRI? Reply -2+0 # Sriyani 2013-11-07 22:11 It would have been appropriate for Callum Macray too have been denied Visa since he has done enough damage to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka by making fabricated documentaries. Reply -0+2 # BuffaloaCitizen 2013-11-08 09:14 As for whether C4 documentries are fabricated, a honest - transparent - independent investigation needs to be launched. Those documentries are shameless to the sinhalese race, however we are cowards to allow investigation...could it be bcos it is true? Reply -1+0 # Nodrog 2013-11-08 14:57 Just because a few disgruntled pro-LTTErs unsubstantiated accusations does not mean we have to conduct an investigation to prove them wrong. If they have hard evidence as they claim then let them take it to the IC. We all know how devious and ruthless the LTTE was and the LTTE rump is no different. Just imagine how much monies they have to get C4 to fight their cause with false propaganda. Reply # BuffaloaCitizen 2013-11-08 22:09 Few disgruntled??? What was the count of the last UN vote against SL at the UN? Of course the LTTE are terrorists, no doubt about that, that is why they are even banned in the countries who are today demanding investigation on war crimes. This does not mean a democratically elected government can behave in the same manner. While Karuna, KP and Douglas should be investigated for crimes against humanity, the GOSL also needs to investigated and relevant persons punished for war crimes. Their is no place in this world for barbarians. Reply # Jan Chandra 2013-11-08 15:04 Yes. Channel 9 too should have been blocked. Reply -1+0 # MagodisThuma 2013-11-08 05:53 Media Freedom...Human-rights...Oozing...! Reply # Cobra 2013-11-08 06:09 We are in a blow hot blow cold democracy speeding away to a dictatorship, arent we? Reply -0+1 # C.K.Lankaputhra 2013-11-08 06:25 If this is the case with IBAHRI, one can easily imagine the level of press freedom in Sri Lanka. Reply -1+0 # Jan Chandra 2013-11-08 15:07 Dont you read the Sunday papers and the blogs where the President is abused in filth. No other country would have tolerated this. We have gone over board with freedom of Press. Reply -0+1 # Perumal 2013-11-08 08:00 The sole purpose of this CHOGM is to institute our President as the purported leader of commonwealth. And then at the next elections he can boast he is the leader of 1/3rd of the world, just like one of our late Prime Ministers boasted she was the leader of 2/3rds of the world after getting to Chairmanship of NAM (excluding Sri Lanka of course as it later turned out) Reply -0+1 # Andrew Pitugala 2013-11-08 08:11 Cold feet !!!!! No transparency in how we have been dealing with CJ43. Reply -0+1 # ravi 2013-11-08 08:25 Always government is scared that hidden Human-rights... violence cost by them will come out. Reply -0+1 # james bond 2013-11-08 17:26 sri lankan government is run by criminals ?.why disturb whoever trying to help solve crimes and stop crimes?. Reply Refresh comments list RSS feed for comments to this post. Add comment Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments. Name (required) E-mail (required) 1000 symbols left Notify me of follow-up comments Security code Refresh Send தமிழில் செய்திகளை அறிந்து கொள்ள...
Posted on: Tue, 12 Nov 2013 11:05:19 +0000
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