Congress manifesto calls for probe into SL war crimes

27 March 2014 07:06 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Ahead of the Geneva meeting on Friday, the Indian Congress party revealed its stance on Sri Lanka, saying it would push for a "credible, objective, time-bound" probe into allegations of human rights violations and war crimes by Sri Lanka.

"We will work with other countries, to prevail upon Sri Lanka to ensure a credible, objective, time-bound inquiry into allegations of human rights violations and excesses committed by the Sri Lankan forces during the concluding phases of the operations against the LTTE," said the Congress manifesto, in an open wooing of Tamil Nadu political parties that have called for a strong line against the Sri Lankan government of Mahinda Rajapaksa that stubbed out the Tamil Tigers.

The manifesto for the general election dwelt at length on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue. The DMK had walked out of the UPA coalition in March last year over the government's "unwillingness" to take on Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes against minority Tamils.

In more promises aimed to win over Tamil Nadu parties, the Congress said it will engage with Sri Lanka "to ensure the Tamil speaking people and other minorities have full equality and equal rights under the law". It promised, if elected to power, to press for devolution of powers to the provinces, especially the Tamil majority Northern province and creation of "autonomous provinces, especially in the north and east".

The party will extend humanitarian and developmental aid to enable the Tamil-speaking people and other minorities to rebuild their lives in a dignified manner, it said. The Congress-led UPA government, bowing to sentiments of Tamil Nadu parties, has in the last two years voted against Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The party said it is committed to the "articulation and implementation of a robust and dynamic foreign policy" and added the party is "committed to building peaceful, stable and mutually beneficial relations with all major powers and all our Asian neighbours".

The manifesto also promised to work to strengthen the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation and endeavor to "meaningfully realize a South Asian economic community" and boost greater economic integration. The Manmohan Singh government has stressed on boosting ties with Southeast Asian countries through its Look East policy, but integration within the SAARC has remained tardy. (IANS)

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Comments - 18

Dammika Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:32 AM

KAPAN PARIPPU ... DON'T BLAME INDIA ... BLAME THE SELVES WHO VOTED THE LEADER IN ... These countries are not against Sri Lanka and its people they are totally against the LEADER and his family

max Friday, 28 March 2014 01:15 PM

when ?.for next ten years there will be no congress rule in india.may be 15 years.

Faro Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:27 PM

yes thats good u mean a domestic process not intnl one. via DM Android App

kumar Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:08 PM

Congress led Indian government had opportunity to vote in favour of resolution against Srilanka but th
ey abstained. But to cheat tamils in Tamilnadu they have included independent investigation in srilanka in their election manifesto. via DM Android App

Ranjith Silvar Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:58 AM

@DAN- Your proposal was just the one USA is dreaming and check what happened to Manila -who has such a base and comment again.
We are fortunate to not to let our land to (M)Yankies.

jim pappa Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:37 AM

This is worse than the US sponsored resolution, and wants to probe Sri Lankan forces action only. If at all there is a probe, it should cover all 30 years, and all parties involved from A (to I to P to K to F ) to Z.

Suq Madique Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:08 AM

[quote name="ABC"]Typical Indian politics. Last time they gain votes by putting things in manifesto against Pakis. via DM Android App[/quote]
Time we drafted a manifesto calling for an investigation into India's part in the war and the period the of the IPKF.

chandi Thursday, 27 March 2014 09:02 AM

One of the most jealousy countries may it comes to economics,cultural or sports....Sri Lanka at least now learn a lesson by distancing them from our hard earn money going to them by purchasing cheap goods from India.

Sri Lanka is the 4th largest trading partner for which accounts to nearly USD4000 million annually as we help their economy significantly.

Ranjith Silvar Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:45 AM

Selfish Indians asking a real reply from lovely Sri Lankan friends- Se Sri Lankan Buy Sri Lankan. Good bye :MARUTI" and "IOC"

rosebud Thursday, 27 March 2014 12:47 PM

India is a self serving hypocrite who is never to be trusted. The next central government is likely to be worse. via DM Android App

ABC Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:57 PM

Typical Indian politics. Last time they gain votes by putting things in manifesto against Pakis. via DM Android App

dan Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:08 AM

This is Sri Lanka's geopolitical blunder by not fully backing USA with a defense pact for them to have a base in Trinco. Had we done it 25 years ago, Sri Lanka would have been a booming economy just like Singapore..with no terrorism or undue influence from Tamil Nadu... Even now its not too late....

ANTON Thursday, 27 March 2014 08:01 AM

OK OK OK WE WILL START FROM IPKF ADVENTURES

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:44 AM

[quote name="rosebud"]India is a self serving hypocrite who is never to be trusted. The next central government is likely to be worse. via DM Android App[/quote]
Today if you ask a tamil about the sinhalese or the GOSL, he would state the same. So suggest you to look at opinions inside than outside.

Ruwan Thursday, 27 March 2014 01:03 PM

India no longer a friend of Sri Lanka and cannot be trusted. whoever comes to power would be unfriendly towards Sri Lanka in order to protect their political aspirations and survival. Sri Lanka should cut trade ties with them, especially vehicle imports. Instead export vehicles from China. via DM Android App

Ammaa Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:32 AM

Nothing to worry if we rule the country well,

CROW Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:27 AM

SELF CONSCIOUSNESS OF INDIA IS WORKING.

salla Thursday, 27 March 2014 07:20 AM

At the end of March India will join the UNHRC in condemning Sri Lanka on human rights issues, including supposed ongoing human rights violations on minorities. Considering that India has all these elements in her society including the human rights violations committed during Operation Blue Star, or her massive military presence in Kashmir where Kashmiri people routinely suffer acts of human rights violations to India’s military history with the United Liberation front of Assam.
This also includes India’s military atrocities on similar movements against the tribal people of Nagaland, the states of Mizoram, and Manipur. This also includes the atrocities committed against the Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat. Yet the UNHRC continues to ignore them and only focus on Sri Lanka while India continues to harbor NGO pro Eelam groups such as TESO and TELO. adress all this congress and mind your own business.

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Congress manifesto calls for probe into SL war crimes

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