The Jaffna University Student’s Union has expressed disappointment in the omission of international investigation mechanisms in a proposed draft of the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka. In a statement released on Monday, the Union said:

“The current draft resolution’s exclusion of proposals for an international investigation mechanism – for which Tamil demands have been firm – has disappointed those affected [by war crimes].”

“It is important to note that in the case of Sri Lanka, a domestic investigation is impossible.”

Summarising the current climate of oppression in the Tamil homeland, the statement said:

“While periodically announcing their intentions to protect the rights of the Tamil people, the Sri Lankan government is undertaking Sinhala colonisation projects in Tamil regions, in order to dilute the Tamil majority in those areas.”

“As the Chief Minister recently pointed out, Tamil women are being forcibly recruited into the Sri Lankan Army, as well as being subject to forced long-acting contraception.”

The Union also pointed to war crimes and human rights abuses committed in the final stages of the war, saying:

“At the end of the war, members of many local voluntary organisations bore witness to the targeting of civilian areas and to the massacre of civilians, carried out shred by shred, by the army.

There is also reliable evidence to prove that surrendered fighters and civilians were shot dead and that women were subject to gross sexual torture.”

Speaking of the lack of progress since the end of the war, and highlighting the warnings of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who promised to pursue international mechanisms in the event of domestic failure, the Student Union called for members of the United Nation to make good on their warnings, and concluded:

“Despite almost five years having passed since the end of the civil war, Tamil people have received no solutions or justice.”

“Instead of accepting accountability for its heinous crimes against humanity, the Sri Lankan government is engaged in delaying and time-wasting… which is why its international supporters continuously call for more time to be given.”

“As the resolution currently stands, Tamil people are losing faith. On behalf of the Tamil nation we put forward our final stand – that member states must strengthen the resolution and put forward proposals for an international investigation.”

See full statement in Tamil below.