Post-War Discourse Must Be Sensitive To Emotional Impact On Survivors: Friday Forum

February 6, 2016

Post-war discourse must be sensitive to emotional impact on survivors, says the Friday Forum.

Issuing a statement today the Friday Forum said; “With the increased public discussion of issues related to post-war accountability and truth in Sri Lanka that is likely to take place in the coming weeks and months, there is a great likelihood that statements and reportage will evoke charged emotions and potentially trigger further distress in affected people across Sri Lanka.”

We publish below the statement in full:

Sri Lanka has recently embarked on the difficult process of coming to terms with three decades of a deeply divisive war that has affected hundreds of thousands of lives. Processes are being established by the Sri Lankan state to establish truth, accountability, justice and reparations in relation to its armed conflict(s) and prevent recurrence. Inevitably, such initiatives involve facing up to the terrible suffering caused by the actions of the main parties to the conflict. These processes bring to the surface overwhelming emotions of hurt and loss, as well as deep anger and enmity in each of the communities that have been scarred by violence. Even at the very start of the public discussion of mechanisms for transitional justice* and reconciliation, it is evident that these are already evoking strong feelings of hope and fear about their outcomes and integrity. Given the complexities of Sri Lanka’s conflict, the process to unravel and account for past atrocities will undoubtedly be fraught with many challenges.  

Even as politicians, media and people’s representatives debate and argue about the modalities of transitional justice mechanisms, or make pronouncements about the facts of the conflict, they must remember that their public statements and publications will have an immediate impact on the emotional status of individuals and families that have suffered directly. Public figures and media personnel must be sensitive in how they convey or represent views that are related to issues such as the fate of missing persons, atrocities committed or judgements about culpability.                       
Read More