Future Govt. should submit counter resolution to UNHRC: Turkish Professor

Professor Mehmet Sukru Guzel, a Turkish Human Rights Activist, who in Geneva had said that a future Sri Lankan Government should submit a counter resolution urging the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to launch an investigation into the proLTTE elements under the ‘Global Counter-terrorism Strategy’ of the UN.

He expressed these views at a special press briefing organised by the World Sri Lankan Association (WSLA) at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday on the current Human Rights affairs in Sri Lanka and the UN resolution on the country.

Prof. Guzel, Dr Nalaka Godahewa, Dr Prathiba Mahanamahewa, Nimala Liyanapatabendi, Madushan Harindra, Aruna Warusahendi and Roshan Weerapura took part in the briefing representing the WSLA. Prof. Guzel said the UNHRC has done a grave mistake by not recognizing the LTTE as a terrorist organisation and said this could set a bad precedent.

The WSLA representatives said that a counter resolution should also be submitted under the ‘International Convention for the Suppression of the Finance of Terrorism’ to take action against those who financially aid the LTTE. Meanwhile, Dr Godahewa said that the UNHRC had previously referred to Sri Lanka’s war situation as ‘Combatting terrorism’ but the 2015 OISL report had referred to the LTTE as a ‘Non-state Armed Group’ instead of ‘Terrorists.’

“Therefore, no legal action can be taken under the ‘UN Global Counter-terrorism Strategy’ against the elements in the Tamil diaspora that financially aided and abetted the LTTE,” he said.