Mr. Chilcott & Universal Principles

"There are many other Human Rights issues peculiar to USA. I shall leave these aside for the moment so that Mr. Chilcott can concentrate on just these four as they are blatant infringements of human rights, the first being contra the constitution of USA."

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by Durand Appuhamy

(January 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) As High Commissioner of UK, Mr. Chilcott, has been preaching to us poor ex-colonial subjects on many issues. One such issue has been human rights and the associated Rule of Law. The fact that he was able to and had the freedom to preach to us on many occasions does reflect the fact that we are a democracy that we respect freedom of opinion. Would USA give him that freedom?

I am quite intrigued to know what sort of sermons he would dish out to the Americans when he gets to Washington as an envoy there in whatever capacity bestowed on him. In case he does not want to know, let me remind him of just a few issues to which his universal principles are applicable and are in need of a convinced apostle like him to convert the Americans. I shall entertain great expectations to read and relish his great sermons from public platforms in the USA. Here are the topics:

• 1) Separatism by the citizens of Vermont State. The issue to secede from the Union of USA has come up as a result of USA's recognition of Kosovo's independence. This has started gathering momentum and the West Virginians are also watching the situation with eager anticipation.
  
  2) Waterboarding. This is the practice of dripping water through the nostrils of a victim to flood their lungs so that confessions can be elicited. All sensible people would regard this as torture
  
  3) Rendition flights. This is both the operation of secret torture chambers in US-friendly countries as well as kidnapping and flying terrorists secretly from foreign countries to USA or Guantanamo prison camp. Would his government help Sri Lanka vis-a-vis the many active LTTE cadres in London?
  
  4) Holding prisoners without trial in Guantanamo and the formation of Special Military Tribunals outside the normal US laws to try the prisoners in Guantanamo camp.

There are many other Human Rights issues peculiar to USA. I shall leave these aside for the moment so that Mr. Chilcott can concentrate on just these four as they are blatant infringements of human rights, the first being contra the constitution of USA. Mr. Chilcott's preliminary thoughts on the above subjects would be much appreciated before his departure from our shores.