U.N. to issue Sri Lanka war crimes report demanding justice

[HongWu002]

After betraying their ally China by siding with India, the Lankans are going to get partitioned by the West. Just deserts.

 

[Hindustani78]

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein.

'Horrific level of violations' in Sri Lanka, says UN report - The Hindu
Updated: September 17, 2015 00:11 IST

A long-awaited United Nations report has urged Sri Lanka to establish a special court to try the “horrific” abuses committed by the authorities and the rebels in the last phase of the country’s civil war.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL), which released the report in Geneva on Wednesday, called upon Colombo to create the proposed court through specific legislation by integrating international judges, prosecutors, lawyers and investigators. “For an accountability mechanism to succeed in Sri Lanka, it will require more than a domestic mechanism,” the OISL said. This would be “essential to give confidence to all Sri Lankans, in particular the victims, in the independence and impartiality of the process, particularly given the politicisation and highly polarised environment in Sri Lanka.”

Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, said at a press conference in Geneva that “our investigation has laid bare the horrific level of violations and abuses that occurred in Sri Lanka”.


The Sri Lankan government, while responding to the report, said the findings would receive “due attention” of relevant authorities. The government recognised “fully” that the report represented “a human rights investigation and not a criminal investigation”, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement here.

While the report found fault both with the authorities and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in respect of “unlawful killing”, it pulled up the former on several counts, including “sexual and gender-based violence”, “enforced disappearances”, and “torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment”.

As regards the detention of internally displaced people, the report said: “Almost 300,000 IDPs were deprived of their liberty in camps for periods far beyond what is permissible under international law.” The report was critical of the LTTE in respect of “recruitment of children and their use in hostilities”.

As for “attacks on civilians and civilian objects”, the OISL expressed “grave concerns” over the repeated shelling of hospitals in the Vanni. It did not absolve the LTTE either and the U.N. office wanted the entire matter to be investigated. “Violations attributable to one of the parties do not justify lack of compliance on the part of the other.”



On allegations of extrajudicial executions of identified LTTE cadres and unidentified individuals on or around May 18, 2009, some of whom were known to have surrendered to the Sri Lankan military, the OISL said: “Although some facts remain to be established, based on witness testimony as well as photographic and video imagery, there appears to be sufficient information in several cases to indicate that they were killed after being taken into custody.”

 

[Saradiel]

Almost 300,000 IDPs were deprived of their liberty in camps for periods far beyond what is permissible under international law.”

LOL is that what this fellow could come up with?

SL did take care of the IDPs in the best way possible while safeguarding the security of the country. Actually SL acted in the best possible way

@Gibbs,
Thanks for Gomin's post. But I am not happy with MangalaS. Why should he talks about bringing a new constitution when talking about war crimes charges? what is the need for it?

I think US is using the report to blackmail RW and change the constitution.

And i knew from the beginning this report would not have anything substantial. Actually no mention about genocide and ethnic cleansing which most here jump up with. That is simply because SL is not guilty of them.

And also I agree with the point samv makes . that this war crime saga started as soon as SL won the war and solely because SL did not listen to US

 

[Hindustani78]

LOL is that what this fellow could come up with?

SL did take care of the IDPs in the best way possible while safeguarding the security of the country. Actually SL acted in the best possible way

I think here its more about the compensation for the victims and action against those who have done violations.

 

[Saradiel]

I think here its more about the compensation for the victims and action against those who have done violations.

well we will have to see what violations are...the problem is how true are the statements of UN..about the authenticity of evidence. UN has rejected to declare their sources.

Out of the people who gave evidence 80% is non SLn and their names are hidden until 2032. So on what grounds should SLG trust UN?

 

[Godman]

I think US is using the report to blackmail RW and change the constitution.

Man from where do you get these weird ideas?
LOL Give the US a rest, they don't give a damn about our constitution. UNP and their UNFGG allies agreed to bring a new constitution if they won and so did MR led UPFA in the last general elections.

I think here its more about the compensation for the victims and action against those who have done violations

Compensation yeah, Action against criminals not so sure.
There should be clear evidence against a person.
For example a soldier who murdered 8 civilians in 2000 was sentenced to death recently and thats because there was clear evidence against him.

 

[Saradiel]

Man from where do you get these weird ideas?

There is nothing weird about it. Did you listen to Mangala’s speech in UN? Didn’t you hear him saying that the gover would bring a new constitution during a session on war crimes in UN? What is the relationship between war crimes and constitution? Isnt it like ‘we will change the constitution as you say and leave us alone’ statement?

LOL Give the US a rest, they don't give a damn about our constitution.

Really? Is that why Keshap the new American ambassador in three occasions asked SL to change the constitution? Is that why US is repeatedly asking SL to change the constitution? Is that because they don’t care?

UNP and their UNFGG allies agreed to bring a new constitution if they won

Yes and from where did the demand for it come? US! If one looks at this government’s actions it is abundantly clear the gover is acting on a predetermined course of actions according to the wishes of US.

 

[Godman]

Yes and from where did the demand for it come? US! If one looks at this government’s actions it is abundantly clear the gover is acting on a predetermined course of actions according to the wishes of US.

So was MR also acting according to the wishes of the US when he said he will bring a new constitution?
The current constitution needs to be replaced and it is a really big election promise
Its nothing but a mess the 19A is only a temporary solution.

As I remember the JHU talked about a new system some time ago.

There is nothing weird about it. Did you listen to Mangala’s speech in UN? Didn’t you hear him saying that the gover would bring a new constitution during a session on war crimes in UN? What is the relationship between war crimes and constitution? Isnt it like ‘we will change the constitution as you say and leave us alone’ statement?

Nice try but useless, he never meant such a thing.

Please listen/read it again instead of twisting what he said. Either you can't read or trying to twist it.

He said that Sri Lanka will bring a new constitution and introduce system where minorities are not marginalized so that what happened in Sri Lanka will not happen again.He explained it as one of the steps that the SL government is planning to guarantee non-recurrence.It was NOT about war crimes but rather one of the actions to stop it from happening again

Nothing to do with the actions against the war crimes or the truth seeking process.
It is an extra alongside many reforms

This is what he said

"Mr President,
In order to guarantee non-recurrence, it is proposed that a series of measures would be undertaken including administrative and judicial reform, and the adoption of a new Constitution. A series of measures including amending the penal code to criminalise hate speech and enforced disappearances are also in process. The best guarantee for non-recurrence is of course a political settlement that addresses the grievances of the Tamil people. We hope that we can achieve this through the adoption of a new Constitution. A Constituent Assembly of Parliament will be set up for this purpose shortly."

 

[Godman]

OHCHR Report not a criminal investigation - FM

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka commenting on the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka, stated the Sri Lankan Government recognizes fully that the Report represents a human rights investigation and not a criminal investigation.

It further said the Government would ensure that the report’s content as well as recommendations receive due attention of the relevant authorities including the new mechanisms that are envisaged to be set up.

The full statement sent by the Sri Lankan Government is as follows:

“The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other International Organisation in Switzerland presents its compliments to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and with reference to the unedited advance copy of the Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/30/61), and the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) (A/HRC/30/SRP.2), has the honour to forward herewith a copy of a Note Verbale No. UN/HR/1/30 dated 15th September 2015, received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, containing the comments of the Government.

“The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Officer at Geneva and other International Organizations in Switzerland avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights the assurance of its highest consideration.

Ref. No. UN/HR/1/30

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka presents its compliments to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for the Human Rights (OHCHR) and with reference to the latter’s Note dated September 10, 2015 conveying an unedited advance copy of the Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/30/61) and the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) (A/HRC/30/SRP.2) has the honour to submit the following comments.

“The Government of Sri Lanka, Takes note of the Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/30/61), and the recommendations made by the High Commissioner;

Is pleased and encouraged by the High Commissioner’s recognition of the efforts of the new Government since the Presidential election of 8 January 2015 in dealing with issues of concern for the people of Sri Lanka relating to human rights, rule of law, governance, justice, institutional and legal reform and reconciliation;

“Appreciates the recognition given to the Government’s constructive engagement with the High Commissioner and OHCHR aimed at addressing post-conflict issues that impact on achieving reconciliation. “Remains firm in its conviction to take all possible measures to ensure non recurrence in keeping with the mandate given by the people of the country twice this year, 2015, at the Presidential election in January and the Parliamentary election in August.

“Will ensure dialogue and wide consultations with all stakeholders especially the victims of conflict, communities, political parties, civil society representatives, the military as well as the High Commissioner and his Office bilateral partners, and other international organisations in putting in place mechanisms and measures that will facilitate the right to know, right to justice, reparations and guaranteeing non-recurrence with the aim of achieving reconciliation and durable peace to ensure long-term progress of all her citizens.

“Takes note also of the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL), recognises fully that this Report represents a human rights investigation and not a criminal investigation, and will ensure that its content as well as recommendations receive due attention of the relevant authorities including the new mechanisms that are envisaged to be set up.

“Remains open to continuing its engagement with the High Commissioner and his Office as well as the systems and procedures of the Human Rights Council, aimed at taking steps to safeguard and uphold the human rights of all her citizens”.

- See more at: OHCHR Report not a criminal investigation - FM | Daily News Online : Sri Lanka's National News

 

[Maravan]

India is not in favor of tamils, they are more in favor of relations with Srilanka.. Tamils have no influence to do anything with the UN inquiry or any international probing, Let some independent source assess the ground reality and let the world know what happened actually and who is the liar.

when the son's of osama's and mullah omar's deserves to live, why not the 13year old son of prabhakaran shouldn't live?. what's the necessity to shot him dead? paranoia at its height.

 

[Saradiel]

So was MR also acting according to the wishes of the US when he said he will bring a new constitution?

You cannot understand the circumstances MR and RW is making these statements. Can you?

MR’s promise of a new constitution was rather a reactive election promise to what RW made. It has no substance while RW has been for changing the constitution from day 1.


What is american’s pain about our constitution? Why do they make statements asking to change it and RW doing exactly what Americans want? And Mangala updating the them about constitutional change? They have no part in that.

The current constitution needs to be replaced and it is a really big election promise

Its nothing but a mess the 19A is only a temporary solution.

It is only few like you and especially the ones who live in utopia dreaming a perfect democracy who calls to replace the constitution. There is no demand in public to change the constitution. It is a manufactured demand. Let’s agree for the sake of argument that constitution needs to be changed.

And it is not a mess like you think.

It is very forward looking one that did solve many issues the country faced.


You know there is an American saying ‘Don’t fix it if it ain’t broken’. That is same for our constitution.

The point here is what has Americans got to do about our constitution which should be solely decided by the people of this country!

As I remember the JHU talked about a new system some time ago.

JHU did not talk about a new constitution if you remember; they just talked about few amendments. And that is why RW and JHU were fighting when 19A was drafted.

Nice try but useless, he never meant such a thing.

If you cannot understand what he said then I cannot make you understand. There is no reason to talk about the constitution on a topic about war crimes. Americans are trying to get it changed by showing the report.

Tell me why RW is not questioning the report on very valid grounds? Why accept it without verification?

He said that Sri Lanka will bring a new constitution and introduce system where minorities are not marginalized so that what happened in Sri Lanka will not happen again.He explained it as one of the steps that the SL government is planning to guarantee non-recurrence.It was NOT about war crimes but rather one of the actions to stop it from happening again

On a session about war crimes when a report is introduced it IS about war crimes. To say to prevent from happening again we have to see what really happened and if war crimes are there it is a totally military thing and completely different from constitution.

You had nothing to say regarding US ambassoder.

@Godman,
So UN is calling it a crime report and SLG is saying it is not...who is correct and who is wrong.. why is not SLG putting up a defence and verifying it?

 

[samv]

India is not in favor of tamils, they are more in favor of relations with Srilanka.. Tamils have no influence to do anything with the UN inquiry or any international probing, Let some independent source assess the ground reality and let the world know what happened actually and who is the liar.

when the son's of osama's and mullah omar's deserves to live, why not the 13year old son of prabhakaran shouldn't live?. what's the necessity to shot him dead? paranoia at its height.

2008 Fort Railway Station bombing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2008 Fort Railway Station bombing was a suicide bombing of a commuter train while it was stopped at the Fort Railway Station, Colombo, Sri Lanka on February 3, 2008. The bombing killed 12 and injured more than 100. Killed in the attack were eight school children of D. S. Senanayake College's baseball team and their coach/teacher-in-charge.

 

[Maravan]

2008 Fort Railway Station bombing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2008 Fort Railway Station bombing was a suicide bombing of a commuter train while it was stopped at the Fort Railway Station, Colombo, Sri Lanka on February 3, 2008. The bombing killed 12 and injured more than 100. Killed in the attack were eight school children of D. S. Senanayake College's baseball team and their coach/teacher-in-charge.

Ok, the world declared LTTE as a terrorist organization for killing the innocents. Will the same name apply to your last regime then?

 

[samv]

Ok, the world declared LTTE as a terrorist organization for killing the innocents. Will the same name apply to your last regime then?

You can call the last "regime" whatever you like.

Prabhakaran killed children, his child died.

Save your crocodile tears for Prabhakaran's son.

I am glad the LTTE was wiped out.

 

[Maravan]

You can call the last "regime" whatever you like.

Prabhakaran killed children, his child died.

Save your crocodile tears for Prabhakaran's son.

I am glad the LTTE was wiped out.

Tell your bravado to someone who admires your courage for killing a 13 year old out of fear.