SL war probe flawed: Amnesty

7 September 2011 04:45 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The human rights watchdog issued a 69-page report slamming the work of the government's Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) ahead of next week's meeting of the UN Human Rights Council, expected to discuss Sri Lanka.

The report cited eyewitness testimony and information from aid workers suggesting that at least 10,000 civilians were killed in the final military offensive which crushed the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009.

It accused the Sri Lankan army of shelling areas it knew to be densely populated by civilians, and also condemned the rebels for using non-combatants as human shields.

The report titled "When will they get justice?", said the LLRC, set up by the government, was "flawed at every level: in mandate, composition and practice".

Highlighting the number of ex-government officials on the commission, Amnesty said it had failed to investigate evidence of systematic violations, including illegal killings and enforced disappearances.

"The international community must not be deceived into viewing the LLRC as a credible replacement for an international inquiry -- this would allow war crimes and crimes against humanity to go unchallenged," said Amnesty's Asia-Pacific director, Sam Zarifi.

The defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) ended nearly four decades of fighting which had claimed up to 100,000 lives.

The Sri Lankan government maintains that not a single civilian was killed by its security forces.

However, an April report by a panel commissioned by the UN noted "credible allegations" of war crimes committed by both sides.

Colombo has managed to stave off censure at UN forums thanks to the support of close allies China and Russia, but a vote at the Human Rights Council cannot be blocked by veto-wielding powers.

Amnesty said that the LLRC was just the latest in a long line of failed domestic inquiries.

"Impunity has been the rule rather than the exception, now exacerbated by a post-conflict triumphalism that rejects all responsibility for abuses carried out by government forces," said Zarifi, who urged the international community to push for an independent investigation.

"Only then will the voices of victims really be heard," Zarifi said. "And only then can the process of post-conflict reconciliation begin to move forward."

Last month, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse lifted a 28-year-old state of emergency which conferred sweeping powers of search and detention on the security forces.

But the government has since enacted new regulations granting similar powers under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. (AFP)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 1

THE MAN Wednesday, 07 September 2011 07:13 AM

I totally agree with AMENSTY INTL- Catch the culprits and bring them to the ICC

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SL war probe flawed: Amnesty

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

MIRROR CRICKET

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand

Sri Lanka secures third spot in South Asian Kurash Championship 2024

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Army forms committee to probe Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross accident