The producers of the acclaimed ‘No Fire Zone’ documentary said in a statement that the horror and condemnation expressed at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, must be translated into into international action.
A short version of the film was released to coincide with the summit, to highlight evidence of sexual violence perpetrated against Tamil women in Sri Lanka.
“Both the Global Summit and the international inquiry being set up by the UN are welcome and vital events. But the appalling crimes of sexual violence which characterized the end of the war in Sri Lanka continue today against the Tamil civilians of the north and east, as well as against returned asylum seekers,” the statement on the NFZ website said.
“Everyone who cares about ending sexual violence in conflict must use these important international events to focus attention on the need to end the climate of impunity in Sri Lanka. Because in Sri Lanka today this climate of impunity has not just allowed the government to deny and cover up the crimes committed by its troops during the war – it effectively encourages the continuing use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of repression and a cultural assault on Tamil society,” the statement further said.
First day of Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict concludes (10 June 2014)