UNHRC probe: Tamil diaspora hopeful of Sri Lanka solution

Kana Nirmalan, British Tamil Forum, Human Rights leader. (Photo: DC)

DC CORRESPONDENT | August 26, 2014

Chennai: Tamil diaspora across the world is confident that the Modi-led BJP government will play a more proactive role in facilitating a political solution (for Tamils) in Sri Lanka.

 

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle during his visit to the city, British Tamil Forum (BTF) Human Rights wing leader Kana Nirmalan on Monday said that there had been some changes in bureaucracy in the present government and they were confident that Modi government would facilitate a political solution for Lankan Tamils.

 

“I have received assurances from certain government sources from Delhi to Geneva that the government was committed to help Lankan Tamils,” Nirmalan said adding that the sources acknowledge that it was imperative for India, in the interest of its security, to engineer a political solution in Lanka.

 

Though the government is opposed to a country specific resolution and independent international probe, sources have assured that India would not disturb an independent international probe sponsored by the UNHRC, Nirmalan added exuding confidence that various diaspora groups spread across the world would come together and take up the issue with the BJP and government by the year end.

 

On Lanka’s continuous resistance of independent international probe, Nirmalan said the working group of UNHRC was categorising evidences and mapping victims based on incidents, which would later be scrutinised  by a special team of UN investigators who would table the report to the UNHRC. 

 

“From there, the report will be sent to the UN Security Council or the General Assembly, as is necessary,” Nirmalan pointed out.

 

“Sri Lanka cannot hide crimes committed during the last leg of civil war for long. At some point in time it will definitely give in to international pressure, including sanctions for which we (Tamil diaspora) are working actively through countries like the US and the UK among others, that are interested in protecting human rights,” he said adding that at the outset they expect India to help create a democratic space in Sri Lanka and ensure the protection of Tamils’ fundamental rights, which at present are lacking in the island nation.