Home > News

Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues

By Huang Xiangyang (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-24 15:41

Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues
Some Sri Lankan people rally outside the UN headquarters (Tuesday) to support their government and send the message that the country is "a land of peace" [Huang Xiangyang/China Daily]

But unlike Zhao, who was camera shy, Sri Lankan Nanda Ranasingha was more photogenic. The president of Sri Lanka Freedom Party US branch led a small group shouting slogans and waving banners -- not against -- but for their government.

"My country was plagued by a civil war for 30 years, I repeat, 30 years. But our current leader solved the problem in less than three years," he said, referring to the wiping out of Tamil Tiger guerillas by government forces.

Related readings:
Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues China urges developed countries to massively cut emissions
Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues China, US could sign climate deal
Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues Researchers: farmers' rights to adapt to climate change ignored
Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues UN: Climate change fight requires investing for developing nations
"We want people to know that Sri Lanka is now a land of peace." Ranasingha and members of his group said they were not funded by the Sri Lanka government. "We came here voluntarily," he said.

He urged the international community to support the Sri Lanka government and its people to build lasting peace.

Sharing his hope for peace was Rabbi Chaim Mermelstein, a member of a Jewish group opposing Zionism.

He said he wants peaceful coexistence with Palestinians.

"It is Almighty's will that people don't kill each other. To achieve that, we would rather not have a state of our own," he said.

Protestors gather during UN session for environment issues
Members of a Jewish group rally outside the UN headquarters (Tuesday) calling for peace in the Mideast.[Huang Xiangyang/China Daily]

   Previous 1 2 Next Page  

1957: The International Atomic Energy Agency was set up to monitor the proliferation of nuclear technology, including nuclear weapons.
Chinese President Hu Jintao's statement at the United Nations climate summit Tuesday in New York on actively tackling global warming was a "sincere and inspiring" stance shown by the world's largest developing country, leading climate policy experts said Wednesday.
I hope China will categorically outline her stance on vital international issues. I would be totally disappointed if deliberations after this UN summits turn out to be "the same old wine in old cups."
 
 Photo Gallery