CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA 
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US double standards - Minister
The government today accused the US of double standards when dealing with human rights stating that it maintains one policy for Israel and another for Sri Lanka.
Acting cabinet spokesman Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena told the media at the weekly news briefing that the US government has opposed the UNHRC resolution to send a fact-finding mission to investigate effects of settlements on Palestinian human rights.
“The resolution was passed in the UNHRC with 36 out of 47 supporting the resolution with only the US voting against. There were 10 abstentions. The Israel Foreign Minister has even threatened to consider withdrawing his envoy from UNHRC and severing ties with the body, following its establishment of a fact-finding mission to probe the effects of settlements on Palestinian human rights with the blessings of the US,” he said.
Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman has further said that he would convene a meeting to discuss the possibility that Israel will not cooperate with the council in their investigation.
“During a meeting with President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam, the Israel FM, Mr. Liberman has reportedly said he would try to persuade countries such as the United States to quit the UNHRC saying that the council was “hypocritical” and should be “ashamed of itself. Only the US called the resolution biased and voted against it which is quite contrast to the policy took in respect of Sri Lanka,” Minister Yapa added.
The US has also rejected four other resolutions brought against Israel and the Europe was divided on voting for and against the resolution.
“The US led west took great pains to pass the resolution against Sri Lanka at the 19th UNHRC session and there was a huge propaganda against Sri Lanka. It is indeed sad and confusing as they have treated Sri Lanka in an extremely hostile manner.” (Sandun A. Jayasekera)
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