SRI LANKA: The government rejects the United Nations' launch of an inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels during the conflict that ended in 2009

Record ID: 858121

  • Title: SRI LANKA: The government rejects the United Nations' launch of an inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels during the conflict that ended in 2009
  • Date: 28th March 2014
  • Summary: COLOMBO, SRI LANKA (MARCH 28, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MAN FLIPPING THROUGH NEWSPAPER
  • Embargoed: 12th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Sri Lanka
  • City:
  • Country: Sri Lanka
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAC0F39FT94QZJMO67D0E52VYEO
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The Sri Lankan government on Thursday (March 27) rejected UN's inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels during the conflict that ended in 2009, saying the government had failed to investigate properly.
    Sri Lanka has been under international pressure to deal with war crimes allegedly committed in the final stage of the 26-year conflict, when the army defeated separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.
    The head of Sri Lanka's human rights council said the inquiry's eventual report could lead to sanctions on the country imposed by the U.N. Security Council, including a freeze of bank accounts and bans on travel by Sri Lankan leaders.
    Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa told a gathering on Wednesday (March 26) the West and the United Nations were talking about false allegations, and had failed to take similar action when the separatist Tamil Tigers had attacked people and religious places.

    "This is an attempt by them to influence countries the way they want. It would not have been necessary to take a vote on this resolution if we had accepted their demands. We have no reasons to do it nor do we have the ability do so. As a government we have to take decision for the welfare of our people, not according to pressure from other countries. That is why we rejected this resolution," Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Gamini Peiris said on Thursday.

    "We have reports of alleged revival of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) and with the arrests and detentions we have seen in the last two weeks, in Wanni, in particular you can see that human rights defenders, activists on the ground are going to be tainted with association with the LTTE as a justification for continuous and extensive use of prevention of terrorism legislation, continue the militarisation," Executive Director Of The Centre For Policy Alternatives Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu said on Friday (March 29).
    A total of 23 states voted in favour, 12 against and 12 abstained. States that voted against included China and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka's neighbour, India, abstained.
    Colombo residents on Friday said the issue should be resolved by Sri Lanka.

    "If there have been human rights violations the best thing is to advice that country and the country itself to take steps. Otherwise the American and British governments will interfere in other countries and destroy their sovereignty," shop keeper Upali Marable said.
    The investigation will be led by the office of U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay, a former U.N. war crimes judge.
    Amnesty International said the inquiry would bring hope for thousands of victims of abuses in Sri Lanka.
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