Patriotic people in this country are prepared to teach what Arbour and her kind have not learnt from any other country! – JVP

The patriotic people in this country are prepared to teach a lesson that Louise Arbour and her kind have never learnt from anywhere else in the world says Information secretary of the JVP Wimal Weerawansa.

Mr. Weerawansa said this addressing a protest campaign held by the JVP opposite main office of the UNO in Sri Lanka. The campaign was held to protest against the statement made by Ms. Louise Arbour, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights that "Violations by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command.”

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http://www.lankatruth.com/full_story/2008/January/23/20080123_08.htm

Anyone being taken before international law for taking decisions on behalf of the Motherland would have to be taken over our dead bodies! –JVP

The JVP vehemently condemns a warning made by Ms. Louise Arbour, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights that "Violations by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command.”

In condemning the decision of the government to withdraw from the CFA Ms.Louise Arbour emphasized that international law prohibited all sides in the decades-long Sri Lankan conflict from committing unlawful killings or torture, arbitrary detention, recruiting or deploying child soldiers, and forcing people out of their homes.

She also has warned that any party violating this international law, those who are responsible for such violations, including those in position of command would be tried under international law.

Mr. Somawansa Amarasinghe, speaking at a special media meeting held at Colombo foundation Institute today called Arbour’s warning as international terrorism. He said, “If any politician or military officer is taken before the international law for taking decisions on behalf of the Motherland they would have to take them over our dead bodies. We emphasize this to the military leaders of this country and the international community.

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http://www.lankamission.org/other%20pages/News/2008/January/2008-01-17JVP.htm

Sri Lanka rebuts Louise Arbour's statement on CFA abrogation

Sri Lanka Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, in a statement today strongly rebutted the comments made by the UN High commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour on the government's decision to abrogate the 2002 ceasefire agreement.

The Minister said that the government decision was taken after “careful and serious consideration of effective measures required to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka in the backdrop of escalating terrorists attacks” by the Tamil Tigers.

He said the Government is compelled to consider Ms. Arbour’s warning on ‘individual criminal responsibility’ as being untimely, inappropriate and unacceptable.

He further stressed that the government will not overturn its decision and will continue to take whatever legal action for the safety of the Sri Lankan citizens.

Minister Samarasinghe said “the Government is committed to the enforcement of military and other lawful measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and to eliminate terrorism, in accordance with the laws of Sri Lanka and in compliance with international norms and standards including International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.”

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http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/January17124458JR.html