UN bans Sri Lankan peacekeepers

25 September 2019 10:04 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The UN peacekeeping department has decided to ban the deployment of non-essential Sri Lankan Army troops in UN peacekeeping missions citing the appointment of the new army commander who is alleged to have committed war crimes, a UN spokesperson has told the Foreign Policy News.

It said Lt. General Shavendra Silva’s appointment as the chief of the Sri Lankan Army elicited criticism from the UN, the United States, and the European Union.

The UN High Commissioner for the United Nations, Michelle Bachelet, announced last month that Silva’s appointment was “deeply troubling” given the “serious allegations of gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against him and his troops during the war.”

This week, a UN spokesperson has confirmed to Foreign Policy that it would ban new Sri Lankan units from deploying in UN missions unless their presence is vital for ensuring the missions’ security.

“A Sri Lankan Army unit and individual officers currently serving with UN Peacekeeping will thus be repatriated, beginning next month, in accordance with their rotation dates and will not be replaced by Sri Lankan personnel,” said Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

He added the UN is “grateful” for Sri Lanka’s contribution of troops to six UN peacekeeping operations, but is troubled by Silva’s promotion.

“We have expressed our concern to the Government of Sri Lanka over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva to the position of Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, despite well-documented, credible allegations of his involvement in serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law,” Haq said.

“In light of this appointment, the UN Department of Peace Operations is, therefore, suspending future Sri Lankan Army deployments except where the suspension would expose UN operations to serious operational risk,” he said.

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Comments - 12

vithura Thursday, 26 September 2019 01:58 AM

Who did not see this coming?

raj Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:45 AM

if the UN is so serious war criminals, it should have asked countries like european union, and US to arrest and prosecute Sri Lankan war criminals when they visit to their countries regardless of their diplomatic status

Rohan Fernando Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:47 AM

If the UN CSN take such drastic action on mere allegations, how come the western armies which bombed Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya etc into smithereens and with war crime charges by invading sovereign nations are immune from such allegations?

joshua Thursday, 26 September 2019 08:08 AM

Much appreciated

Soldier Thursday, 26 September 2019 08:43 AM

So.....?

Robbers Thursday, 26 September 2019 09:09 AM

Good

S.Sangaralingham Thursday, 26 September 2019 09:20 AM

Who is responsible for this

Pasan Hettiarachchi Thursday, 26 September 2019 11:27 AM

If our government has a backbone, we should withdraw all peace keepers immediately.

Gayan Thursday, 26 September 2019 11:29 AM

Bring back the rest.

Warren Raed Thursday, 26 September 2019 11:47 AM

At last you got some senses. Good decision.

Tinku Thursday, 26 September 2019 01:59 PM

This will help Gota. Thanks.

Unified Thursday, 26 September 2019 02:05 PM

Saudi arabia has been bombing civilians in Yemen for 3 years straight yet UN appoints one of Saudi Princes as their Human Rights Chief.but don't get confused just keep repeating the mantra 'UN is there for world peace and the sole guardian of human rights ' 'UN is there for world peace and ...

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UN bans Sri Lankan peacekeepers

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