Canadian Tamil Congress Welcomes International Investigative Mechanism on Sri Lanka
For Immediate Release
March 27, 2014
Canadian Tamil Congress Welcomes International Investigative Mechanism on Sri Lanka
Geneva, Switzerland – The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) welcomes the resolution entitled “Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka” which passed this morning at the 25th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The resolution mandates the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish an international inquiry to investigate “serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka”, thereby setting in motion a process that will lead to accountability for serious crimes committed in Sri Lanka.
This broad fact finding mandate given to the High Commissioner represents a significant step forward in achieving accountability and justice on the island of Sri Lanka. Council’s provision to the High Commissioner of the ability to establish ‘facts’ is part of a continuum that commenced with the 2011 Panel of Experts Report. Empowering the High Commissioner’s office with such broad powers will ensure the emergence of truth and send a strong message to Sri Lanka that the international community has lost confidence in its purported domestic reconciliation and accountability processes. The resolution mandates an investigation into serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, which include war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
“The International community has finally taken a meaningful step towards seeking the truth, and bringing justice to the victims of the brutal war in Sri Lanka. This process should serve as a deterrent to those states that flagrantly violate international human rights and humanitarian law” stated Gary Anandasangaree, Legal Counsel to the Canadian Tamil Congress. “This resolution is not going to bring back over 70,000 lives lost in the war, however, it may give families some solace that those responsible for the deaths of their loved ones may finally be brought to justice”, concluded Anandasangaree.
Having failed to seek accountability immediately after the end of the war, many of the co-sponsors worked progressively towards achieving this mechanism for accountability in Sri Lanka. CTC is grateful for the leadership of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Canadian government, in particular, has played a critical role in achieving this outcome. “We are grateful for the leadership demonstrated by Prime Minster Harper and Minister Baird, along with the staff at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa, Geneva and Colombo for their efforts in ensuring that Tamils get justice,” stated David Poopalapillai, National Spokesperson for the Canadian Tamil Congress.
CTC also wishes to acknowledge diligent efforts of our INGO colleagues, human rights defenders, elected members of parliament and members of civil society from Sri Lanka who have taken extraordinary risks in advocating for a constructive resolution and action from the Human Rights Council. CTC is inspired by their fearless dedication towards achieving justice and accountability in Sri Lanka. We thank these champions of human rights, both Tamil and Sinhalese, for working towards lasting peace on the island.
The passage of this resolution is a significant step forward in the struggle for human rights on the island of Sri Lanka. The Council has empowered the High Commissioner’s office to establish findings of fact. In order to fulfill this broad mandate, Council should ensure that all appropriate resources are made available to the Office of the High Commissioner and the Office should undertake the investigation of all alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other violations of human rights and humanitarian law.
For Media Inquiries, please contact:
Mr. David Poopalapillai (Toronto) – 905-781-7034
Mr. Gary Anandasangaree (Geneva) – 416-564-9991
Ms. Vani Selvarajah (Geneva) – 011 41 76 770 77 64