U.N. Launches Investigation on Sri Lankan War Crimes
The United Nations on Thursday launched an inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil rebels during the conflict that ended in 2009, saying the government had failed to investigate properly.
“The international community has become increasingly concerned by the continued lack of progress in achieving reconciliation, justice and accountability for serious allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” Paula Schriefer, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state, told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Sri Lanka, which rejected the resolution, has been under international pressure to deal with war crimes allegedly committed in the final stage of the 26-year conflict, when the army defeated separatist Tamil Tiger rebels.
Sri Lanka’s ambassador, Ravinatha Aryasinha, told the talks on Thursday the island nation had made tangible progress in addressing accountability. He said parallel processes would be “counter-productive”.
“Sri Lanka categorically and unreservedly rejects this draft resolution as it challenges the sovereignty and independence of a member state of the U.N … and is inimical to the interests of the people of Sri Lanka,” he said in a speech before the vote.
But Britain’s ambassador Karen Pearce said: “This is not about needing more time. It is about the government not showing the political will to back a transparent, thorough and credible investigation that delivers truth to those who seek it.”
The head of Sri Lanka’s human rights council said the inquiry’s eventual report could lead to sanctions on the country imposed by the U.N. Security Council, including a freeze of bank accounts and bans on travel by Sri Lankan leaders.
“That is where the problem will start,” said Prathiba Mahanama. “But we still have an opportunity to do things in a way to prevent a report reaching the Security Council.”
A total of 23 states voted in favour, 12 against and 12 abstained. States that voted against included China and Pakistan, while Sri Lanka’s neighbour, India, abstained.
