2ND LEAD

Colombo set to lose GSP plus

[TamilNet, Friday, 16 October 2009, 18:20 GMT]
The European Union has found Sri Lanka in breach of International Human Rights laws, implying that Colombo does not fulfil the basic human rights conditions of GSP plus, according to an exclusive update by Reuters Friday night. It is likely that Sri Lanka would lose concessions worth over $100 million for its top exports to Europe, the report said citing EU sources. The findings of the investigations by the EU are expected to be published Monday.

"This is not a trade sanction. There are rules for GSP plus and if you break the rules, then unfortunately there are consequences. They will keep basic GSP either way," the report filed by Darren Ennis of the Reuters quoted an EU official as saying.

"The evidence is very clear that Sri Lanka does not fulfil the basic human rights conditions of GSP plus."

The findings will be discussed by the European Commission. The decision have to be have to be made by the end of November whether to propose to member states that they temporarily suspend Sri Lanka's GSP plus status.

"Colombo came under heavy pressure from Western nations, including those in Europe with large Tamil populations, because of civilian deaths in the final phase of the war against the Tigers," the Reuters further reported.

TamilNet's Political Commentator, who commented on GSP plus politics in early August said that emotional rehabilitation, which is fundamental to all other rehabilitation, is possible only when the West openly acknowledges Eezham Tamils as a nation and their cause as a national liberation struggle. He noted further: "International recognition of the nationhood of Eezham Tamils and guaranteeing its self-determination is the only way possible in the context of the island to save a nation from genocide and for any stability in the island aspired by the powers."

Chronology:


Related Articles:
02.08.09   Emotional rehabilitation should precede IMF, GSP politics


External Links:

Reuters:

EU probe slams Sri Lanka on human rights