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Denying access to war crimes evidence

"The international criminal justice system that has developed over the past 15 or so years has given us a tool of accountability we did not have before. No longer can heads of state, and other actors, be sure they can commit atrocious violations and get away with it."

"Denying access to alleged mass grave sites and places where the victims' mortal remains are allegedly deposited constitutes a clear violation of international human rights and humanitarian law."

- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay. (See IPS's Dec 31 report here on Cote d’Ivoire’s crisis.)

The government will not allow the [UN] panel to carry out its investigations in Sri Lanka. They will not be permitted to carry out investigations, record evidence or visit places of their choice without prior government approval.”

- Kehiliya Rambukwella, Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesman and minister of mass media and information. (See Allvoices’ report.)

See also comments by international law professor Francis Boyle in TamilNet’s May 2009 report.

Photo: The Sunday Leader

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