Sri Lanka, about to start UN investigation on human rights violations

Since 2011, the UN has called for an international comprehensive investigation into the alleged human rights violations and war atrocities committed by both sides in the Sri Lankan civil war. Sri Lanka has resisted, saying that such an investigation would be biased towards the recently defeated Tamil Tigers insurgents, ultimately undermining the current government’s sovereignty. Much debate has ensued over Sri Lanka’s desire to conduct an internal investigation instead, which some observers have rejected as an equally biased alternative.

The UN has now announced the experts who will conduct the investigation, and its intent to see the enquiry through even if the Sri Lankan government refuses to cooperate. The parliament of Sri Lanka has already passed a resolution barring the UN investigation team from the country. Included in the human rights violations Sri Lankans face is the violation of their religious freedoms. This is evident as attacks on Christians (as well as Muslims and other minorities) continue with impunity, while police turn a blind eye to the violence of Buddhist nationalists.

6/26/2014 Sri Lanka (AsiaNews) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillai Wednesday, 25 June announced the names of three distinguished experts who agreed to advise and support the team set up to conduct a comprehensive investigation of alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, as mandated by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March.

Announcing the experts to the panel, the High Commissioner asked the Sri Lankan government to cooperate with the investigation which will still continue even if the government refuses to cooperate.

The Investigation Team will consist of 12 staff, including investigators, forensics experts, a gender specialist, a legal analyst. It will be operational for a period of 10 months (up to mid-April 2015).

The Sri Lankan parliament on June 18 passed a motion against the UN investigation and accordingly the parliament has decided to deny permission for the UN investigation team to enter the country.

However, in the country many human rights activists support UN intervention. Nimalka Fernando, Christian and President of The International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), told to AsiaNews: “This is not a resolution against the country as the rulers claim. This is a resolution undoubtedly against impunity, abuse of power by the rulers and collapse of the rule of law. It’s a situation deliberately created by the excessive and arbitrary use of Presidential powers.”

“It is disgusting to note the manner in which the President of Sri Lanka who himself is a lawyer has been abusing power and further deliberately distorting the role that UN and Human Rights Council has to play in relation to promote and protect human rights of all Sri Lankans,” she added.

“We would like to encourage all victims to participate enthusiastically supporting the international mechanism.”

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