UN ’troubled’ by release of SL soldier on presidential pardon

27 March 2020 07:16 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said today that it was 'troubled' by the reports of the release of former staff sergeant R.M. Sunil Ratnayake on a special presidential pardon.

"We are troubled by the reports that the convicted 'perpetrator of the Mirusuvil massacre, in Sri Lanka, has received a Presidential Pardon and was released from jail this week," Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rupert Colville said(statement).

He said former Army sergeant Sunil Ratnayake was sentenced in 2015 for the murder in 2000 of eight civilians, including a five-year-old child, after more than a decade long trial.

"Five defendants were brought to trial but only Sgt Ratnayake was convicted. The conviction was confirmed by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in May 2019.

This was one of the rare human rights cases from the decades long conflict that had ever reached conviction.

The Presidential pardon is an affront to victims and yet another example of the failure of Sri Lanka to fulfil its international human rights obligations to provide meaningful accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and other gross violations of human rights. Victims of such violations and crimes have the right to a remedy. This includes equal and effective access to justice and reparation, and that perpetrators serve a punishment that is proportionate to the seriousness of their conduct.

“Pardoning one of the sole convicted perpetrators of atrocities committed during the Sri Lankan conflict further undermines the limited progress the country has made towards ending impunity for mass human rights abuse," he said.(Lahiru Pothmulla)

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Comments - 14

ram Friday, 27 March 2020 10:42 PM

this release makes me think that he might have commmitted the crmime based on order given to him from higher level authorties within the government.

dickie bird Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:36 AM

Why must Spokesperson Rupert Colville representing an Organisation identified as a 'Cess Pool" by the Americans bother. Rupert get lost. Go and clean yours stink

Sajith Friday, 27 March 2020 10:43 PM

You do not run Sri Lanka nor represent its people. The stooges you illegally put into power in 2015 (and 2002) to do your bidding do not run this country anymore and never will. We have not forgotten how you aided and abetted LTTE terrorists and suicide bombers giving them your vehicles to use along with funds and weapons in your "aid" shipments. Why don't you stop troubling our nation and GET OUT. Why don't you trouble the US over releasing actual war criminals and refusing to hold war crimes tribunals with the ICC and the UN itself?

ACA Friday, 27 March 2020 11:26 PM

This is very bad, this conviction was delivered by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka. The president must answers to all SrI Lankans on what basis he decide of this pardoning. Why he think our Supreme Court was wrong. Presidents cannot use their powers irresponsibly.

Globizen Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:16 AM

We are troubled that UN isn't doing enough about Assange. Where's your spine UN?

Anthony Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:30 AM

Above the Law ? ? Discrimination to the Judiciary?

kumar Saturday, 28 March 2020 12:55 PM

Typical example of jungle law!

Sampath Saturday, 28 March 2020 02:11 PM

Don't call him soldier, it is disrespect entire Sri Lankan military.

Mohamed Ouff Abdul Careem Saturday, 28 March 2020 02:27 PM

No comment....how can one approve this

Mohaned Ouff Abdul Careem Saturday, 28 March 2020 02:28 PM

law n order remain?

charith seneviratne Saturday, 28 March 2020 05:26 PM

These are the guys who saved this country from the LTTE. Do not interfere with Sri Lanka. We will not jail any war heroes. For you guys the LTTE were heroes. We will run our country and you guys stay away. Take the LTTE who slaughtered so many to task. Most tried to destroy the Dharma as well and misfired badly. Today most countries who tried it are facing its repercussions. Do not play with Sri Lanka or the Dhamma.

CITIZEN Saturday, 28 March 2020 05:47 PM

RELEASING A PERSON OF THE ARMY OF AN EX ARMY IS A BAD PRECEDENCE

Menike Saturday, 28 March 2020 08:35 PM

UN is troubled by one release in Sri Lanka. The rest of the world is troubled by the constant bias of the UN favouring countries such as the US and Israel and backing their actions of murder and interference in other countries.

johan Saturday, 28 March 2020 08:39 PM

Any one who has shed innocent blood he has eternal punishment by God irrespective of whatever forgiveness Gota has given .He should not be happy that he escaped judgement from the worldly government. The person who is pardoning the wrong person also cannot escape

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UN ’troubled’ by release of SL soldier on presidential pardon

Comments - 14

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