Rajiva Wijesinha

“ Perhaps nothing can be done about those who actually tell lies for partisan purposes. But it is regrettable that such utterances are taken up and propagated by those who should be more circumspect. We request then that support for freedom of expression should not lead to support for utterances that promote hatred and enmity, without attention to questions of evidence or credibility. ”

“ Thus we found it deeply depressing that those members of the international community functioning in areas controlled by terrorists kept quiet about the fact that the Tigers recruited first one, and then even a second, member of each family. But it would seem that the ruthlessness of terrorists was enough of a barrier then to the free expression that might have saved children, whilst conversely those who advocated child recruitment could propagate their wicked ways even in this august assembly. ”

“ We also need to consider the impact of freedom of expression when exercised without responsibility. Some time back we were astonished when International Educational Development Inc made a passionate defence of the use of children over 14 in combat. Such statements could be defended in terms of the right to freedom of expression, but when such wicked ideas are translated into practice it is the vulnerable who suffer. ”