Sri Lanka must Face International Probe: Amnesty


New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS): Sri Lanka needs to face an "independent international" investigation into the killings towards the end of the war against the Tamil Tigers, the Amnesty International chief says.

"We need a full and independent international inquiry to bring (guilty) people into account," Amnesty Secretary General Salil Shetty told IANS here.

He said investigations ordered by the Sri Lankan government into the killings of 2008-09 were not adequate.

But Shetty, an Indian, quickly added that the investigation must cover "both sides" -- including the Tamil Tigers who too were accused of killing many non-combatants under its control.

"And it is not just about 2009. The human rights violations are ongoing (in Sri Lanka)," he said. "There is a current problem too."

Sri Lanka has been accused of unleashing its military, which fought and finally crushed the Tamil Tigers in 2009, on Tamil civilians who lived in rebel territory.

Rights groups have alleged that tens of thousands of innocent civilians were also killed along with Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka's north in the war that ended in May 2009. Colombo has routinely denied the allegation.

Shetty, the first Indian and the third from the Third World to head Amnesty, said "what happened during the end of the (Sri Lanka) war was by any standard a gross violation of human rights".

He said India had been mostly silent on the Sri Lanka situation. "The time has come for India to take a fresh look."

  

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Comment on this article

  • Shiva, Canada

    Sun, Dec 23 2012

    India UPA regime is reponsible for the war crimes in Sri Lanka as it has collaborated with the Sri Lankan regime. Indian UPA regime has mde the Sri Lankan regime as the worst rogue regime of the world, committing human rights abuses, intimidation and crimes against humanity. Tamil areas are under forceful Army occupation and Tamils are under consistent attack, rape and murder by the state sponsored gangs and the armed forces. The International Community must excluse India and investigate independently to bring the alleged criminals to account.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peace Lover, Australia

    Sun, Dec 23 2012

    Amnesty International should take every possible effort as soon as possible,to bring the violators of human rights in Sri Lanka to justice. The Sri Lankan government is trying to put every Tamil into the prison under the so called prevention of terrorism act. I think this act is enacted to annihilate Tamils from the entire country.For the Sri Lankan government eyes, every tamil is a terrorist. We know the hidden agenda of Sinhala Governemnt. Their only goal is to colonise the entire north east using thier own sinhalse people. They are doing it rapidly, and think no body else in the world would come to know it. They have driven tamils from North east to Colombo by carpet bombing. This is the first step towards their colonisation agenda. Nature will chase you guys (I mean the human right violators) of Sri Lankan government) to give you the justice, if you escape the natural justice system.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • S Shan, Sri Lanka /Australia

    Sun, Dec 23 2012

    We tatally agree with the above article.Govt media itself accepts there are more than 800000 war widows in North and East of the country. How about the dead innocent old people,children and even infants. So this information clearly shows that more than 100000 innocent people died in the war crimes committed by the Government. This needs an international independent inquiry and the war criminals shoud be punished if there is law and justice. Not only that.There is ongoing cultural genocide going on and there should be a total withdrawal Sri Lankan forces from the North and East of the country with immediate effect. Unlawful arrest and detention of innocent University students and impeachment of Chief Justice for not towing in line with the Government are just a few examples.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vel Tharma, London

    Sun, Dec 23 2012

    India also a partner to the war crime committed by the SL Govt.

    DisAgree Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Srivanamoth, Sri lanka

    Sun, Dec 23 2012

    Amnesty has consistently criticised SL for gross human rights violations against innocent citizens in large numbers. Now that state is even attacking the judiciary and the judges. How then is India aiding and abetting such a country and ratchetting up military ties in the very face of human rights violations? India too has human rights problems due to inefficient governance. How can the next CHOGM be held in such a failed country like SL? It will mar the whole of the Commonwealth and what it stands for. Full accountability by SL for its horrendous crimes before the UN is a must. UN too should not be allowed to turn the 'other side' to evade its statutory responsibilities!

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Siva, Berlin

    Sat, Dec 22 2012

    Justice seems to be far away from this world as almost all Govts are being occupied by unhuman ,unmoral Selfish brainies,as such those who will to establish a just humanity ,amnesty ,human watch int. red cross and so on have to try so hard !!! Truth will be out one day and sleeping world will repent!

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Murgesh, Hyderabad

    Sat, Dec 22 2012

    Yes, Innocent Tamils are died due to massacre of Sri Lankan Sinhalese Army which is totally unacceptable and it is 21st century biggest crime in the world history. Guilt should punish otherwise tamils never sleep until get justice this crime never and ever be forgettable.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse


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