Alston wants foreign probe

4 June 2010 05:42 am - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Philip Alston, Special UN Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions in his annual report to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council (HRC), has said that there is a need for an independent international inquiry in Sri Lanka.

He was referring to the allegations that as many as 30,000 people were killed in Sri Lanka last year in the closing months of the conflict between Government forces and Tamil rebels and that grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law were committed.

“In this case also there is a need for an independent international inquiry,” he said. “While the Council rejected this proposal a year ago, there is now a great deal of new evidence which would warrant effective action.”

In many instances, domestic commissions of inquiry had only resulted in “comprehensive impunity,” Philip Alston said. “Overall, the track record of such inquiries is remarkably poor,” he added.

In such cases, the international community will often need to insist that an international inquiry takes place where particularly serious allegations are made and where domestic practice has been “unconvincing.”

To assert in such circumstances that matters should be left entirely to a domestic inquiry will generally be tantamount to an “abdication” on the part of the international community, said Mr. Alston, who cited the recent Israeli attack on the humanitarian flotilla headed for Gaza as one example of such a situation, the UN media unit reported. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 34

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:49 AM

the question is, are we interested in finding out that everything was ok? or are we worried that someone would find out something?

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:45 AM

Life is life but Israelis kills 12 where Sri Lanka has the record of 30,000 at a time.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:46 AM

ya ya... money talks most of the time. btw how much did you get paid this time alston?

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:59 AM

Another pain like MILI BAND.He too is sure to be in the payrolle of LTTE.

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:14 AM

What a double standard by UN. Send one Tamils suicide carder to the UN head quarters then they will understand the reality what we have faced last 3 decades. UN is a failed organization. it’s good for creating problems than solving them.

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:23 AM

Ultimately Nothing

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:32 AM

It is most distressing to hear suggestions from some commentators that Sri Lanka should accept an international inquiry because of the country's dependence on foreign aid. This is an extremely repugnant and untenable arguement. Is foreign aid a worthwhile reason for us to allow foreign powers with their own hidden agendas and practicing double standards to interfere in our internal sovereign affairs? Let us continue to be a proud nation devoid of a servile mentality.

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:35 AM

God will one day punish all those who did wrong thing in their life. UN should leave it to the God for the punishment day.

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:44 AM

YOU JOKERS KEEP PROBING UNTIL THE REMAINING LTTE FUDING RUNS OUT FOR YOU!!

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:45 AM

One thing is very clear. Alston is handling this issue with a very prejudiced mind. From where has he plucked the casualty figures he mentions. He appears to be a mouthpiece for the diaspora. Shame for him to suggest imposing an international inquiry on Sri Lanka based on hearsay.

Friday, 04 June 2010 07:56 AM

We as Sinhalese are practicing it always. Your beloved Praba is the one who created the problem when chasing away Sinhalese and Muslims from North and East. But still you all can stay in Colombo without any problem.

Friday, 04 June 2010 08:00 AM

Why don't you mention the number killed by LTTE ?? Aren't they humans ?? We had suffered for 30 years from LTTE. The number you mention is totally fake. And the army killed only LTTE or civilians who came (may be by force) with weapons.

Friday, 04 June 2010 08:02 AM

COMPLY & COMPLAIN

Friday, 04 June 2010 08:13 AM

Malkanthi, This is not an issue with inabilities and abilities of representatives. This is about 30000 human souls. There should be an unbiased investigations and accuseds should be punished.

Friday, 04 June 2010 11:57 AM

Hello Ajith, Be brave let the UN invstigate so that we know the truth. Don,t protect your coward country.

Friday, 04 June 2010 12:00 PM

Sam, The UN are doing thei duty. Your mentality is similar to your government. What a shame.

Friday, 04 June 2010 08:24 PM

Sri Lanka should allow an independent, international, investigation.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:22 AM

Alston must first call for the probe of massacre in Iraq and Afghanistan of masses of civilians in the name of liberation. The SL Army liberated the innocent men, women and children from the ravages of a unscrupulous terrorist group. The United Nations should congratulated Sri Lanka in achieving an enormous task which other nations in similar situations are still struggling along. Our Foreign Minister did right with Pillay and he can do the same with Alston. Alston, what are you u to?

Friday, 04 June 2010 05:52 AM

why didn't he want the Israelis to have an "independent international" probe? Why this step motherly treatment to Sri Lanka. Go fly a kite Alston....1st learn to treat all nations equally. We are not a colony of the west.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:06 AM

Ask this guy to chase after the real guys without bullying SL.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:07 AM

there is no need for any international independent inquiry because we trust our valiant and humane forces. They only killed Tamil Tiger terrorists and not innocent civilians.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:09 AM

"1st learn to treat all nations equally" why don't YOU do this before telling Alston...

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:09 AM

:D What abt Israel??? ;D

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:11 AM

Dear RTA,

That is exactly what this guy is trying to say, that it implies across the board to everyone.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:13 AM

so let them have a probe, if we have not done any thing wrong why should we worry about it so much.
On the other hand if we have done anything wrong we will have to face the consequences. BUT then again where is the probe on alegations agains israel????????? but this doesnt mean just because israel can get away with it, all the other countries can go on a killing spree of innocent people.... thats something we all should understand!!!

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:17 AM

I am totally against the biased policy and prejudice of HRC towards Srilanka. But this clearly shows the lack of diplomacy and inability of the govt. Where are the guys who were talking highly about GL? He cannot even convince the international community or justify our position.

Friday, 04 June 2010 05:51 AM

All this proves the inability of our representatives in respective countries and the ability of Tamil Diaspora!

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:22 AM

No need ... Mind ur business

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:23 AM

The racialist man is back to bully Sri Lanka yet again. Go and try to have an international independent inquiry for the crimes comitted by U.K. Israel, U.S.A. they will probably blow your head off.

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:25 AM

Our forces are best in the world. Go & fly a kite with Tamil Diaspora..

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:28 AM

Did they only kill Tamil tigers in the fight? Or also killed after surrendering? If they have done the 2nd thing, there should be an inquiry into it…

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:37 AM

Here we go again! Bickering nonstop about the local panel vs an independent panel. Anyone with half a brain will understand that the outside see the situation more clearly and will have more credibility. But try telling that to our folks!

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:45 AM

Hey Guys,
Why are you crying and trying to divert somewhere else. Question is if SL forces have violated human rights or not i? If you think that they have not, let them exam it. What is your problem?
Do you really think that it would lead to international interfearence, after you have sold your sovereignty entirely in order to buy arms and lend loands from your neighbours (India, China)?

Friday, 04 June 2010 06:45 AM

Listen guys! When we know that we are clean from war crimes, let them come and verify it themselfs. End of the day we Sri Lankans need UN and other States when we need help, funds and loans etc. If our country can survive on our own then we can kick them, but just think... Can we manage with out any foreign AID??

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Alston wants foreign probe

Comments - 34

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