The United Nations Human Rights Chief Prince Zeid Al Hussein, stressed that the “government had not moved fast enough with tangible measures to build confidence among victims and minority communities” adding “ there are anxieties that the full promise of governance reform, transitional justice and economic revival.” Addressing the Human Rights Council with an interim update on Sri Lanka’s progress at implementing resolution 30/1 on reconciliation and accountability, Mr Hussein said , “I remain convinced the international participation in the accountability mechanisms, as stipulated in the Human Rights Council’s resolution, would be a necessary guarantee for the credibility, independence and impartiality of the process in the eyes of victims given the magnitude and complexity of the alleged international crimes, which the OHCHR investigation could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Mr Hussein added that consultation processes must allow for victims “on the participation of international actors” and with a view to “shaping the design of transitional justice programmes” Noting that “military presence in the North and east remains heavy,” he added, “ A culture of surveillance and, in certain instances, intimidation also persists. These point to a deeper challenge for the Government in asserting full control over military intelligence establishment.” Suggesting that the council should be encouraged by Sri Lanka’s steps so far, the Human Rights Chief caveated, “continuing allegations of human rights violations must be swiftly addressed and the structures and institutional culture that promoted those practices be dismantled, to show there will be no tolerance for practices of the past.”
Leaked photos appear to confirm the use of cluster bombs by the Sri Lankan government during the height of a large scale military offensive seven years ago. Photograph: The Guardian/Together Against Genocide
Sri Lanka has made little progress in fulfilling its human rights commitments, observed a panel at a British parliamentary event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) joint with the All Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG). The event on June 7th opened with the screening of the documentary ‘Silenced Survivors’, a film featuring harrowing testimonies of Tamil torture survivors, recounting their experiences at the hands of Sri Lankan military and authorities and raising their fears of ever returning. The film was produced by investigative journalist Emanuel Stokes.
Exiled Tamil victims who survived the final stages of the armed conflict on the island have called for international judges to participate in an accountability mechanism for mass atrocities, in a new report by the International Truth and Justice Project. Launched on Friday, the report clearly identified the top priority of the victims as criminal accountability, including “the prosecution of those who were in positions of superior and command responsibility”. The victims stated they would testify by video to a special court in Sri Lanka only if international judges were involved and their identities protected. “These findings have huge implications for the design of the transitional justice mechanisms in Sri Lanka,” said Yasmin Sooka. “It’s important that thousands of Tamils who’ve fled Sri Lanka have a voice, especially as some are the only known surviving witnesses to alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity”.
On 31st May 1981, the crucible of Tamil literature and heritage - the Jaffna Public Library - was set ablaze by state security forces and state sponsored mobs. Over 95,000 unique and irreplaceable Tamil palm leaves (ola), manuscripts, parchments, books, magazines and newspapers, housed within an impressive building inspired by ancient Dravidian architecture, were destroyed during the burning that continued unchecked for two nights. The library was one of the largest in Asia. The destruction took place under the rule of the UNP at a time when District Development Council elections were underway, and two notorious Sinhala chauvinist cabinet ministers - Cyril Mathew and Gamini Dissanayake - were in Jaffna. Earlier on the 31st May, three Sinhalese police officers were killed during a rally by the TULF (Tamil United Liberation Front).
Thousands of people gathered at Chennai's Marina Beach on Sunday to remember the 7th year anniversary of the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka as the armed conflict ended.
On Wednesday, May 18th, Tamils across the world marked the 7th year anniversary of the end of the armed conflict, which saw tens of thousands of Tamils massacred as Sri Lankan state forces drew in. Find full coverage of May 18th remembrance events here: Tamils mourn 7 years after 2009 UK - British MPs reiterate need for credible justice at Mullivaikal genocide remembrance event (19 May 2009)
Updated 22 May 2016 11 :00 GMT NPC Councillor T Ravikaran pays his respects at the Nandikadal Lagoon Marking the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamils at the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka in May 2009, Tamils across the world and in all districts of the Tamil homeland in the North-East are coming together in commemoration. . May 18 memorial at Jaffna University Remembrance events are taking place across the North-East amid surveillance by Sri Lankan intelligence and police officers and warnings by government officials not to commemorate the LTTE At Mullivaikkal this morning Local...
A conference on international humanitarian and human rights law violations in Sri Lanka was held in the Danish Parliament this week, with speakers from around the world discussing mass atrocities committed on the island and the current human rights situation.
A memorial event was held in Jaffna last week, marking the tenth anniversary of the murder of two Uthayan journalists.