“Thaaththa,” Bindu Udagedera asked, “what is all this fuss about human rights?”
“There is this important human rights meeting in Geneva, Bindu,” Bindu’s father Percy explained.
“What is so important about that?” Bindu wanted to know.
“Well,” Percy said, “some countries are claiming that we have violated human rights during the last stages of the war and want to move a resolution against us…”
“And what do they want us to do about that?” Bindu asked.
“They are asking us to punish those responsible…” Percy said.
“And what are these countries, thaaththa?” Bindu inquired.
“It is mostly America but they are backed by countries such as Britain, Canada and other countries in the European Union…” Percy recalled.
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“Ah, I am not surprised about that…” Bindu asked.
“Why do you say that?” Percy was puzzled.
“Why, these countries know a lot about human rights….” Bindu explained.
“Why is that, Bindu?” Percy wondered.
“Why, these are the same countries which violate human rights, not of the people in their own countries but of people in other countries whenever they feel like it…” Bindu declared.
“Why would you say that?” Percy asked.
“Well, how America violates human rights in countries such as Afghanistan is plain for all to see because so many civilians have died there because of the Americans…” Bindu pointed out.
“I suppose you could say that…” Percy conceded.
“And then there is Britain and France which did much the same in Libya…” Bindu observed.
“That is true as well…” Percy agreed.
“So, what are we doing about all these allegations that are being levelled against us, thaaththa?” Bindu was curious.
“We have appointed our own commission and they have made their recommendations…” Percy recalled.
“Then, why are they still making such a fuss?” Bindu demanded.
“Well,” Percy said, “they are complaining that the recommendations of the commission have not been implemented…”
“But it is only a few months since the recommendations were made, isn’t it?” Bindu inquired.
“Yes, it is…” Percy agreed.
“So, if they are still making a fuss about it, what are we doing about that?” Bindu asked.
“Different people are doing different things, Bindu…” Percy explained.
“Why do you say that?” Bindu queried.
“Well,” Percy explained, “some of our ministers are in Geneva trying to convince other countries that they should not support the resolution…”
“And are they succeeding?” Bindu wondered.
“It is too early to say that but they are indeed succeeding in getting their share of the limelight and publicity in the local media…” Percy observed.
“And who else is doing anything about what is happening in Geneva?” Bindu asked.
“”Then,” Percy said, “there are the opposition parties here like the Greens and the Reds…”
“And what are they doing about it?” Bindu inquired.
“I believe they are not quite sure because they don’t want to be seen as not being patriotic but at the same time they don’t want to be seen as supporting the government…” Percy explained.
“So, what are they doing about it?” Bindu was curious.
“As a result, different people are saying different things at different times, so no one knows whether they support the resolutions against the country or whether they are against it…” Percy observed.
“But, thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “what about the parties in the North?”
“I think they are equally confused,” Percy said, “because first they wanted to attend the sessions in Geneva, then they didn’t do that and now they have sent a letter asking other countries to support the resolution…”
“And is anyone else doing anything about this?” Bindu wanted to know.
“Ah, yes,” Percy said, “there is also the General in jail…”
“And what does he want to do about it?” Bindu wondered.
“He is saying that if he was sent to Geneva, he would have clarified all the allegations that are being made and defended the country once more…” Percy said.
“Well,” Bindu said, “I am not sure where he is going either but we can be sure that he is certainly not being sent to Geneva…”
“That is true…” Percy agreed.
“So, thaaththa,” Bindu asked, “what do you think will eventually happen in Geneva?”
“Ah,” Percy said, “whatever happens, there will be a positive outcome…”
“How can you be so certain about that?” Bindu demanded.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy recalled, “with all this going on in Geneva, we saw how people gathered in the city this week to protest against America and the other countries…”
“Yes, they did come in their numbers,” Bindu said, “even if they were asked to do so…”
“So,” Percy said, “if a resolution is passed against Sri Lanka we can expect more protests on the streets…”
“And what good would that do?” Bindu was puzzled.
“Why, Bindu,” Percy said, “that would mean that everyone would have forgotten about protesting against the petrol price hike and the rising cost of living and about demanding higher salaries…”
Bindu didn’t quite know what to say to that.
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