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Aussie govt. criticises SL war report

13 February 2012 01:34 pm - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australia has added its voice to international criticism of a Sri Lankan government report on the country's civil war but stopped short of joining calls for a fresh, independent inquiry.
 
The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) - set up by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in May 2010 - released its report on the final stages of the 26-year conflict two months ago.
 
The Canadian and British governments have been among critics of the report, saying it does not properly address persistent allegations that both sides in the conflict committed war crimes.

Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday said while the report contained some constructive proposals, he agreed it did not fully address allegations of international human rights law violations.
 
"The Australian government has consistently urged Sri Lanka to investigate all allegations of crimes committed by both sides to the conflict," Mr. Rudd said in a statement.

"In light of the report's failure to comprehensively address such allegations, we continue to call on Sri Lanka for all such allegations to be investigated in a transparent and independent manner."
 
It is critical that the Sri Lankan government endorses the LLRC report's constructive elements and sets clear time frames for their implementation, Mr. Rudd added.
 
A series of reports, including one by a UN Panel of Experts, have accused Sri Lanka of committing war crimes during its final 2009 offensive against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

The offensive crushed the Tigers, bringing the decades-old civil war to an end. The Tigers have also been accused of atrocities.
 
Rights groups have dismissed the LLRC report as a whitewash and have intensified calls for an independent international investigation into the war.

But Mr. Rudd's response stops short of such demands.
 
The Australian Tamil Congress welcomed Mr. Rudd's contribution but made it clear it wants to see the government go further.
 
"With the UN Human Rights Council session sitting in a few weeks, we hope Mr. Rudd will take a strong stand in ensuring that an international mechanism is set up to investigate allegations on both sides, as recommended by the UN Panel of Experts report," the ATC's Varuni Bala said.
 
Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon said Mr. Rudd was out of step with other western nations in failing to call for another more credible probe.

"This is a disappointing and weak response," Senator Rhiannon said.
 
"While Mr. Rudd is critical of Sri Lanka's report, he is asking the Sri Lankan government to go back to the drawing table and have another go.
"Minister Rudd has shown himself to prioritise maintaining Australia's relationship with Sri Lanka above addressing war crimes and crimes against humanity."
 
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Australia Thisara Samarasinghe was unavailable for comment. (Source: AAP)


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  Comments - 11

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  • rd Monday, 13 February 2012 04:19 PM

    Australia is not a World super power.

    Sarath Monday, 13 February 2012 04:46 PM

    Why was he late to make his comment?

    Kalu kolla Monday, 13 February 2012 05:39 PM

    Minihoo listen to suddah

    faqi Monday, 13 February 2012 05:36 PM

    Why is this witch hunt going on? Did not the Sri Lankan government put an end to the most ruthless terrorist organization in the world? Why is no one talking about that, but keep on hammering this small country at every turn? What about the abuses their citizens do in other countries like Afghanistan. Dont they count? Because they are considered the first world. I think Sri Lanka should just ignore these so called 'do gooders' doing the bidding of the remnants of the terrorists domiciled in their countries.

    KD Monday, 13 February 2012 08:59 PM

    He has bigger issues back home, like returning to PMs office by throwing out Julia Gillard.

    Elabuwa Monday, 13 February 2012 10:52 PM

    I think he thinks this is the best way to get support from LTTE symperthisors such as greens, to remove Julia and become primeminister again :). Poor boy :D

    Ethical Man Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:49 AM

    You will be surprise one day when you come to know the level of power Australia has. ( Go and do some research ) Only different is Australia doesn't abuse its power unlike some other nations.

    C.K.Lankaputhra Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:59 AM

    Thank you Mr. Rudd

    TMA Tuesday, 14 February 2012 02:11 AM

    Now let's start blaming Australia

    gorakaya Tuesday, 14 February 2012 02:00 AM

    Australia should first solve the Aboriginal problem. The first Australians (Aborigines) are treated very badly. That is why there was a protest march on Australia day. Australians have no right to talk about human rights, when they themslves are abusing human rights. Just ask an Aborigine, and you will find out all about human rights in Australia.

    Mifaz Tuesday, 14 February 2012 04:10 AM

    Unfortunately some people like you and you'll pathetic thoughts creates loosing of foreign relationships of SL & our own people starting to hate our born mother land. The main reason is unlikely the majorities attitude and some people like yours foolish behaviors.


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