Over 40 Tamil civil society activists have called on the US to help in the establishment of an international mechanism to address accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka.

In a letter, addressed to and welcoming the new US ambassador Atul Keshap, the Tamils, all directly affected by the war, said it was not possible to rebuild their lives without seeing justice for the crimes that occurred.

“We cannot rebuild our lives without dealing with the past. We must know what happened, who was responsible, and how those persons will be brought to justice,” the letter said.

Welcoming the US public stance regarding the importance of accountability and justice, the activist pointed out that local mechanisms have completely failed to deliver justice and that despite the new government’s promises, no progress had been made since the change in regime in January.

“Local mechanisms have completely failed to deliver justice, and the continued reliance on domestic mechanisms will continue to produce the same results. The administration of President Sirisena made promises to the international community following his election in January 8, 2015, but there has been no progress on the ground. The government obtained a deferral of the OISL investigation report in February, over our strong objections, stating that it needed time and space to implement its own credible domestic processes. Eight months later, nothing has happened, and war affected communities are no closer to truth, justice, redress or guarantees of non-recurrence.”

The activist highlighted the continued promotion and impunity enjoyed by suspected war criminals.

“While FM Mangala Samaraweera promised credible mechanisms for truth and accountability abroad, the government promoted alleged war criminals Major General Jagath Dias as Army Chief of Staff, and Sarath Fonseka as Field Marshall,” the letter said.

They urged the US to consider the position of war-affected communities in the North-East, including that there must be an international accountability mechanism, including referral to the ICC, and meaningful participation of affected communities and representation of civil society in shaping the international accountability mechanism in line with UN Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff’s recommendations. The activists further said they “categorically reject any hybrid/domestic mechanism which are imposed upon victims/survivors,” and asked for transparency with respect to any attempt to negotiate a solution for the Tamil people, applying equally to the US, India, the UN, Sri Lanka and elected parliamentarians from the North-East.”

“We welcome the United States’ public stance regarding the importance of accountability and justice in Sri Lanka, but these objectives can only be accomplished through an international mechanism. Consequently, we need help from the United States to ensure that war-affected communities find justice, truth and guarantees of non-recurrence. Without answers as to what happened and who should be held responsible, we cannot hope to rebuild our lives or regain a sense of dignity,” the letter ended.