The Global Tamil Forum on Thursday called on the Sri Lankan government to implement the Consultation Task Force's recommendations "expeditiously".
"GTF welcomes the comprehensive recommendations related to the proposed judicial mechanisms, in particular, the need for ‘international expertise including judges in each transitional justice mechanism’, ‘both male and female judges representing all ethnic communities’, and ‘a special structure for women and children during examination of witnesses related to sexual crimes and crimes against children."
"A credible and impartial judicial process is so fundamental to come to terms with our violent past that is littered with not only the crimes committed against the members of each community, but also on their behalf," the GTF said in a statement, adding, "GTF, therefore, is deeply dismayed by the statements of two responsible ministers in the unity government denouncing the recommendations of the Task Force calling for foreign participation in the judicial mechanisms."
"The panel’s finding that ‘foreign participation is required as those who suffered during the conflict had no faith in local judiciary which lacked expertise to undertake such task’ very much resonates with the victims of the Tamil community. This is a long-standing view that is further reinforced with the recent verdict on the murder case of former Tamil parliamentarian Mr Raviraj."