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Last Updated : 2024-04-25 18:20:00
Sri Lanka must rein in its military forces, prosecute war crimes committed during the long civil war with Tamil rebels and win the confidence of the Tamil minority, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
Witnesses must be protected under an effective transitional justice mechanism that should include international judges, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in an annual report.
The military and Tamil Tiger rebels - who were fighting for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the Indian Ocean island - are both likely to have committed war crimes during the 26-year conflict that ended in 2009, the U.N. said last year.
President Maithripala Sirisena's government, formed in March 2015, has "consolidated its position, creating a political environment conducive to reforms", but governance reform and transitional justice had lagged, the report said.
"The early momentum established in investigating emblematic cases must be sustained, as early successful prosecutions would mark a turning point from the impunity of the past," it said.
"Continuing allegations of arbitrary arrest, torture and sexual violence, as well as more general military surveillance and harassment, must be swiftly addressed, and the structures and institutional culture that promoted those practices be dismantled."
A spokesman for the government in Colombo was not immediately available for comment.
Sirisena has said that foreign participation is not needed for an impartial inquiry. Many Sri Lankans oppose foreign involvement and supporters of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa believe that U.N. efforts aim to punish the military unfairly.
The U.N. Human Rights Council will debate Zeid's report on Wednesday when the government is expected to come under fresh pressure to commit to prosecuting perpetrators.
Sri Lanka acknowledged this month for the first time that some 65,000 people were missing from the war.
The United Nations and activists have long urged justice for the families of those who disappeared, including those alleged to have been secretly abducted by state-backed groups and paramilitary outfits.
At least 250 security detainees were still being held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the U.N. report said, noting that Zeid had urged the government during a visit last September to quickly charge or release them.
The report voiced concerns over "military engagement in commercial activities, including farming and tourism" and aggressive campaigns in social media that it said "stoke nationalism against ethnic, religious and other minorities". (Reuters)
randima Tuesday, 28 June 2016 04:10 PM
to win the hearts by punishing those who defeated terrorism this is a joke via DM Android App
Sjey Wednesday, 29 June 2016 08:06 AM
Why is the Government of Sri Lanka pussy footing around the UNHCR resolution. Both , the LTTE and the government forces to have committed war crimes and should be held accountable. If proven, must be committed to stand trial.
Chandu Wednesday, 29 June 2016 10:31 AM
65,000 missing ? Obviously no connection to War Crimes because most of them are overseas!No mention of Military rescuing so many innocent civillians.Whether a War Crime courts should be set up to punish the military should be decided by a vote in the parliament or by a referandum
Dhesabandu Wednesday, 29 June 2016 10:31 AM
So according to your statement as soon as they are fighting terroism all human rights can be ignored? Civilians can be bombarded? Those arrested can be summarily executed? Raped? If no crimes were committed then there is nothing to fear. It's been over 7 since the war and people want justice and closure.
Real Peace Wednesday, 29 June 2016 10:44 AM
SjeyThe history tells us that if the armed forces committ crimes against the Tamils the state always turned a blind eye!
t_logi Wednesday, 29 June 2016 11:23 AM
Its not punishing for defeating the war its punishing for the crimes they committed. Thats the way it should be but the government is willing to do so.
King Mihiraj Wednesday, 29 June 2016 11:35 AM
My Dear UN HC for Human Rights, don't you see any war crimes committed by US government in so many foreign lands ! Can you start your proceedings from your host country before pocking in to a tiny nation who is living peacefully today.
BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 29 June 2016 01:32 PM
Will you be happy if a murderer kills many in ur family, grins carefully and peacefully says that he will not do it hereafter?
BuffaloaCitizen Wednesday, 29 June 2016 01:33 PM
The GOSL has admitted 65000 are unaccounted, this does not take into account the citizens who managed to escape the mayhem and are now living safely in other countries.
Sheri Wednesday, 29 June 2016 02:48 PM
Well said, Chandu! The ridiculous figure keeps rising in thousands by the minute. Try overseas, you will find the economic refugees there, some having changed their names.
Dayawathie Wednesday, 29 June 2016 04:35 PM
Why isn't he going to US or UK and ask them what they did in Iraq, Afganisthan Libiya etc. Only come to a small poor country like ours and push their weight around. Shame , shame.
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