Sri Lanka: Human Rights Council Should Ensure Accountability

Human Rights Watch

Oral Statement at the 17th Session of the Human Rights Council - June 6th, 2011

June 6, 2011

 Human Rights Watch is concerned about the failure of the Sri Lankan government to investigate well-founded allegations of very serious abuses that took place during the last months of its decades-long internal armed conflict, which ended in May 2009.
A report released by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in April concluded that both government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam conducted military operations "with flagrant disregard for the protection, rights, welfare and lives of civilians and failed to respect the norms of international law." It concluded that tens of thousands of civilians were killed in the war's final months, but that the government's efforts since then have fallen "dramatically short" of international standards and failed to satisfy Sri Lanka's obligations under international law.
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Ban still awaiting Lanka’s response

Wednesday, 08 June 2011 01:05 

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon said he was still awaiting the response of the Sri Lankan government on the Expert Panel recommendations, while claiming that he would continue to discuss with Sri Lanka on its accountability, the Inner City Press reported.

 “I am still awaiting the response of the Sri Lankan Government.
I am checking almost every day, every week so that they will send their response as soon as possible. That can give me further review on their response,” he told reporters following a news conference in New York on Monday in which Ban announced that he had met with the Asia Group and they support him for a second term as UN Secretary General.
He further said “most of the recommendations of the Panel’s report concerned steps which the Sri Lankan Government needs to take. Beyond what I can do within the UN to review its actions during the final stage of conflict, much will depend on the Government of Sri Lanka and the Member States who have been studying this report. Addressing the issue of accountability will be an essential step towards lasting peace and stability in the country. And I will continue to discuss this matter with the Sri Lankan leadership so that they will implement fully the recommendations in this Panel’s report. First and foremost, proper action is needed to be taken by the Sri Lankan Government. That’s what the international community really wants.”
After Ban's news conference, Inner City Press interviewed a Deputy Permanent Representative who attended the meeting. He said that no vote was taken, but rather “acclamation.” Inner City Press asked if Sri Lanka spoke, and the DPR said yes.
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A bad week for Rajapaksa

Feizal Samath

Wednesday, 08 June 2011
IT has not only been a bad week but a particularly humiliating one for the six-year-old government of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, enjoying his second term in unrivaled power.
Riding high after triumphantly ending a near 30-year-old conflict, Rajapaksa has played his cards wisely, shrewdly and somewhat ruthlessly, wiping out any opposition to his party and using war victory rhetoric to ensure he is firmly in control for another six years.                     FullStory>>>

Posted by Thavam