Sri Lanka: New Evidence of Wartime Abuses – Human Right Watch Posted on October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 By Admin Government Inquiry Inadequate; UN Should Establish International Investigation May 20, 2010 A member of the LTTE apparently captured by the Sri Lankan Air Mobile Brigade. In subsequent photos (downloadable via links below), the man appears to be dead, raising concerns that he might have been executed in custody. © 2009 Private Related Materials: Q & A on Accountability for Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Sri Lanka Sri Lanka: Satellite Images, Witnesses Show Shelling Continues Sri Lanka: Repeated Shelling of Hospitals Evidence of War Crimes Other Material: Five photos taken on the front lines in early 2009 Yet another feckless commission is a grossly inadequate response to the numerous credible allegations of war crimes. Damning new evidence of abuses shows why the UN should not let Sri Lanka sweep these abuses under the carpet. Elaine Pearson, acting Asia director at Human Rights Watch (New York) – New evidence of wartime abuses by Sri Lankan government forces and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the armed conflict that ended one year ago demonstrates the need for an independent international investigation into violations of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. Recently Human Rights Watch research gathered photographic evidence and accounts by witnesses of atrocities by both sides during the final months of fighting. On May 23, 2009, President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the government would investigate allegations of laws-of-war violations. One year later, the government has still not undertaken any meaningful investigatory steps, Human Rights Watch said. Last week, the government created a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission with a mandate to examine the failure of the 2002 ceasefire and the “sequence of events” thereafter. It is not empowered to investigate allegations of violations of the laws of war such as those documented by Human Rights Watch. “Yet another feckless commission is a grossly inadequate response to the numerous credible allegations of war crimes,” said Elaine Pearson, acting Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Damning new evidence of abuses shows why the UN should not let Sri Lanka sweep these abuses under the carpet.” Human Rights Watch called on Secretary-General Ban to promptly establish an international investigation to examine allegations of wartime abuse by both sides to the conflict. New Evidence of Wartime Violations Human Rights Watch has examined more than 200 photos taken on the front lines in early 2009 by a soldier from the Sri Lankan Air Mobile Brigade. Among these are a series of five photos showing a man who appears to have been captured by the Sri Lankan army. An independent source identified the man by name and told Human Rights Watch that he was a long-term member of the LTTE’s political wing from Jaffna.More : http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/05/20/sri-lanka-new-evidence-wartime-abuses Source Uncategorized
UN Rights Council: Act on Sri Lanka Report – HRW Posted on October 2, 2023 Failure to Follow Up Would Be Shameful September 13, 2011 (Geneva) – The United Nations Human Rights Council should act on the recommendations in a report commissioned by the UN Secretary-General detailing grave abuses during the final months of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, Human Rights Watch said today. UN Secretary-General… Read More
Will UN Report bring Justice for Sri Lanka War Victims? Posted on September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 Will UN Report bring Justice for Sri Lanka War Victims? By Amantha Perera UNNICHCHI, Sri Lanka, 2 September 2015 (IRIN) – Thavarasa Utharai says she isn’t exactly sure where Geneva is, but she is anxiously awaiting a report soon to be made public in the Swiss city that is expected… Read More
The UN Investigation Into Human Rights In Sri Lanka; Its Legal Basis, Nature And Scope Posted on September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 A UN investigation into allegations of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka is about to commence. As an aid to public discussion, Friday Forum sets out below information to help the general public understand the legal basis, origin, nature and scope of this inquiry Navi Pillay – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Frequently Asked Questions… Read More