UN rights chief warns Lanka

1 July 2011 02:17 am - 69 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UN's human rights chief Thursday warned Sri Lanka not to take too long in probing war crimes allegations, saying failure to carry out a credible inquiry could lead to international action.

"There is now a high level of expectations expressed by member states that Sri Lanka should seriously inquire into these allegations" of prisoner executions and assaults, said Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"But this should not be an open-ended process," she stressed, noting that a previous Sri Lankan internal inquiry "failed to complete its task, never published its report and never led to a single prosecution."

"If that should be the case again, there is an intention for the international community to take further action. I certainly believe that the Human Rights Council should actively consider this matter," said Pillay.

Pressure has mounted on Colombo since Britain's Channel 4 broadcast a documentary that showed what it said were prisoner executions and bodies of female Tamil fighters who appeared to have been sexually assaulted.

A recent UN report accused government forces of war crimes, alleging that they executed rebel leaders who had surrendered.

An estimated 100,000 people were killed in the nearly four-decade-long Tamil separatist conflict, which began in 1972.

Pillay's remarks echoed that of the United States, which on Tuesday urged Sri Lanka to move quickly to address allegations of war crimes.

Colombo has questioned the authenticity of the Channel 4 footage but said that a local panel, known as the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission, would take action if the allegations are proven. (AFP)

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Comments - 69

Ravi Friday, 01 July 2011 01:46 PM

Now the MR govt ministers going to say Navaneetham pillai is a LTTE supporter.

Lahiru Friday, 01 July 2011 03:28 PM

Baduth hambuduruwange Naduth hamuduruwange...

It shouldnt be taken seriously ... she is speaking as a tamil .. not the UN Rights chief.

giri Friday, 01 July 2011 03:25 PM

No they will say her name sounds tamil, so she is LTTE :-)

Yehiya-Doha Friday, 01 July 2011 03:25 PM

Sad story of sri Lanka future.

gunda Friday, 01 July 2011 03:18 PM

pillai's tribal blood is boiling. tribalism is not a good trait for this high UN position. please sack this racist woman from un.

giri Friday, 01 July 2011 03:18 PM

well said Sparks, war crimes cannot be spwet under the carpet because the majority race feels that is it justified.

Thomas Friday, 01 July 2011 03:05 PM

Take things serious, and act cautiously

LASANTHAV Friday, 01 July 2011 01:42 PM

KP, KARUNA, PILLAI AN , ALSO DAISPORA PAYAROL.

Buwa Friday, 01 July 2011 03:30 PM

Navi Pillay the puppet and shoes of the US

mike Friday, 01 July 2011 01:03 PM

has Srilanka listned???? ha ha ha

Malin Friday, 01 July 2011 12:13 PM

Mr.Tamil Diaspora, I have spoken again for you guys. Where are my dollars?

sparks Friday, 01 July 2011 11:53 AM

The point is whether they will listen...

Thushara Friday, 01 July 2011 10:51 AM

Sri Lanka also should start warning other countries in the world starting from Maldives.

Trinco Friday, 01 July 2011 10:21 AM

Very interesting time ahead?

Guru Friday, 01 July 2011 09:55 AM

What a fantastic statement.

THE UNDERTAKER Saturday, 02 July 2011 05:34 AM

@Rana- bcos- they are done something fishy -and even the evidence to C4 was given by our own army chaps for money- this is known and open fact-

anura Saturday, 02 July 2011 05:06 AM

Anura,
Aiyo, leave Sri Lanka alone. What has happened to this Pillay? We knew about human rights long before the west came to know about the human rights. We can manage our affairs without any advice from so called international community and human rights watch.

Jayantha de Alwis Saturday, 02 July 2011 05:02 AM

We all know that It's almost impossible to rehabilitate these brain washed terrorists. In order to have a peaceful land to live for the other peace loving citizens, we need to get rid of these social pests. Why can't the international community see the present peaceful atmosphere in Sri Lanka?

Najumudeen Saturday, 02 July 2011 03:56 AM

You came to this position because of Nelson Mandela, a real patriot with tolerance and peace. If you are a truthful person to him, speak about the atrocities of western powers not about a government that eradicated the No.1 terrorists in the world.

hadirarampola Saturday, 02 July 2011 03:51 AM

How come all these events being unfolded against GoSL who eliminated terrorism ,thus derailing certain Western political interests favourable to them in the back drop growing chinese supermacy?

Tpeiris Saturday, 02 July 2011 03:12 AM

fake is made up by those who are paid...

peterw Saturday, 02 July 2011 03:02 AM

Well said Madam Pillai. They will never get it. IC's acction is must.

Xman Saturday, 02 July 2011 02:55 AM

Super comment...yeah.

atch Friday, 01 July 2011 06:54 AM

may be true, but how come 2 years became 3 now?

Rana Saturday, 02 July 2011 02:17 AM

Why should we worry if our Army has not done any crimes. Face and clear the name.

MagodisThuma Saturday, 02 July 2011 01:26 AM

What's her Idea about the extrajudicial killing of Bin Laden !.

Mohamed Saturday, 02 July 2011 12:40 AM

Then who is she?

Heamu Saturday, 02 July 2011 12:26 AM

Navi Pillay, LTTE Navi Pillay,
TAMIL Diaspora Navi Pillay, TAMIL Diaspora

Prasad Friday, 01 July 2011 05:19 PM

Have you got another dollar increment recently?

Sanjaya Friday, 01 July 2011 03:54 PM

Probe navi Pillai. Must be atIger Mole in the UN.

mansam Friday, 01 July 2011 05:00 AM

What a nice statement..."Rebel leader surrendered."
When did Prabahakaran became a Rebel leader he is a terririst who killed innocent people of this country

Mashook Friday, 01 July 2011 05:10 AM

Old woman, Go home and see what are the duties of your husband and children, Do you atleast know what L.T.T.E. has done to Sri Lanka for the past 3 decades, how many thousands blood they (L.T.T.E) has sucked. How many got widowed, childless, lost their body parts, lost their properties, how much our government would have spent to make the situation normal, compensation to relevant people, Study thoroughly and come to a conclusion you old woman.

I Hussein Friday, 01 July 2011 05:10 AM

Thats not the point now. Better stop playing that record time and again saying US did this and that (they can and they will justify anything they do). Its a volatile situation though many at home dont understand the consequences yet.
Better get out of this mess as fast as SL can by diplomatic means. There is no other remedy.
Pep talks, patriotic shows will not work, do understand that. Its better the President act with the support of all parties (pls no UPFA, JHU or MC members - that will make things worse)

Citizen perera Friday, 01 July 2011 05:10 AM

Sprats can not fight with wales.

LOLI Friday, 01 July 2011 05:10 AM

LOL

Hash Friday, 01 July 2011 05:05 AM

If its not true and boating about in all the rallies, why cant they just slam it front of the UN so they will shut up for good ?!!

chryshan Friday, 01 July 2011 05:04 AM

If somebody has done crime it should be investigated and punished. Why should we worry on Iraq or Afghanistan. Since our Govt is sure no crimes done we should allow them to investigate.

LOLI Friday, 01 July 2011 05:03 AM

I think, Her history has been always voicing for tamils and pointing finger at SL. that means SL was doing something terrible always. if anyone talk about tamils, in your terms its LTTE. otherwise no politics. if you want to sack for racism and biased, then first place is for SL.

TMA Friday, 01 July 2011 05:07 AM

Yeah, even if we get sanctions is MR gonna do a single sacrifice? he'll keep on living his luxurious life. It's the ppl who'll suffer

S Kumaran Friday, 01 July 2011 05:17 AM

Harfim, Please watch the C4 documentary, then you will realise ……the truth........

Niranjan Friday, 01 July 2011 05:00 AM

Navi,start this war crime probe from the British citizen who garlended ltte woman carders with cyanide capsule around their neck.She is still living very close to you.

LOL Friday, 01 July 2011 04:53 AM

So, Accepting the UN and C4 claims that there were war crime...

Penny Friday, 01 July 2011 04:53 AM

Navi Pillay, is she independent or proached in by the LTTE diaspora. Her history has been always covering LTTE and pointing finger at SL. She should be sacked for racism and biasness

das Friday, 01 July 2011 04:48 AM

But didnt u know that the powerful ones can do what they want?

dilhan Friday, 01 July 2011 03:39 AM

Don't tell do. make action

Mr Retort Friday, 01 July 2011 03:31 AM

Our pointing finger at here and there may not work and time is ticking eventually making all Sri Lankans to pay for work of few

Rian Friday, 01 July 2011 02:41 AM

Navi Pillay should start with War in Iraq, Afghanistan. Initially we should prosecute the real war criminals who invaded countries for profit (OIL) how about that lady ?

why the double standard??

sparks Friday, 01 July 2011 06:24 AM

You may be right...but better late than never. The criminals are still around and need to be sent to their rightful places, even if it is late.

Nighthawk Friday, 01 July 2011 06:29 AM

Well said Pillay, start acting, dont stop with just statements

Ahmed Friday, 01 July 2011 06:32 AM

Dear
Pillay should cry for Velu pilly thats natural dont worry she will be replaced soon or die of cancer

mayu Friday, 01 July 2011 06:25 AM

So this is going to be beginning of the tough period for this beautiful country. May the concern party pay attention to safe their country first rather than protect the individuals!

Ahmed Friday, 01 July 2011 06:30 AM

Dear All
Last 3 years nobody died of terror act In Sri Lanka this is because HE President got ride of them and all
now he should get ride of all un patriotic party politicians from our land
ICC can issue sommuns to anybody can they come and take him from sri lanka thats over my dead body

Javi Friday, 01 July 2011 06:29 AM

At least realize wrong approach at this last moment.......else.......

mayu Friday, 01 July 2011 06:24 AM

Everyone cannot be the leader. Majority should listen.

Coolson Friday, 01 July 2011 06:28 AM

So, Bin Laden has been categorized as a "terrorist" who is responsible for the killings of approx 5,000 Americans! And that megalomaniac ruthless terrorist, Prabakaran who is responsible for nearly 100,000 killings of Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, is a "rebel"! What a ridiculous situation?

Harfim Friday, 01 July 2011 02:35 AM

The High Commissioner must start with warning USA and Britain first in regard to their criminal activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. The atrocities committed by these two world powers were and are far greater in intensity than the Government of Sri Lanka which was trying to bring civility to our country.

sparks Friday, 01 July 2011 06:22 AM

Your sinhalese arrogance shows. It is similar arrogance that showed in 1977, 1983 and now shown on C4 that has bought disastrous mayhem to this country. Even after so many incidents, we still have not learnt to respect our neighbour, races, religeons and understanding of another community.

sparks Friday, 01 July 2011 06:09 AM

These are arguments when one is unable to counter accusations with honesty, logic and transparency.

Gayan Samarasekara Friday, 01 July 2011 05:58 AM

I watched. There was nothing convincing me. A hindi film can be more realistic than that. It was a weak documentary by CH4.

Maru Yaka Friday, 01 July 2011 05:48 AM

My dear pillay, how come i hear your voice after 03 dacades! Were the UN a sleep all this while?

Konde Bendapuchhena Friday, 01 July 2011 05:47 AM

She is well back by Diaspora,that is why she got the job as she hail Tamil background from Durban,South Africa

Niv Friday, 01 July 2011 05:42 AM

I think you are confused with the terms, 'rebels' and terrorists, most of the time close relationship between them. so many countries are with rebels who resists control (extreme level) or authority on their people by others. some rebels are certified 'terrorists' for their own actions and others certified for few power's political agenda.

cecil p Friday, 01 July 2011 05:23 AM

There is a stench to identify that many are in the payroll of the Ex
LTTEs.

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UN rights chief warns Lanka

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