Amnesty slams ‘disgraceful’ Commonwealth inaction on Sri Lanka
Amnesty International is outraged that the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth has utterly failed to hold Sri Lanka to account over allegations of war crimes and other grave human rights abuses arising from the 2009 conflict.
“It is an absolute disgrace that Commonwealth leaders have agreed to hold their next meeting in Sri Lanka in spite of its appalling human rights record,” said Amnesty International's National Director Claire Mallinson.
“They are allowing war crimes to go uninvestigated, unpunished and unaccounted for. The Australian Government as host and other members of the Commonwealth have missed a crucial opportunity to show leadership on human rights,” said Ms Mallinson.
Amnesty International is continuing to call for a full independent international investigation into the final months of the Sri Lankan civil war, when it's believed that tens of thousands of civilians were killed as they were trapped between the army and the Tamil Tigers. A UN report released earlier this year found that government forces were responsible for most of those deaths, and that they had deliberately shelled hospitals and Red Cross aid ships.
Amnesty International is aware of thousands of Tamils still being held without charge in government ‘rehabilitation’ camps.
With reports of human rights abuses - including rape and torture - continuing to emerge, Amnesty International is urging Australia and other nations to show greater political will to bring alleged war criminals to justice. The human rights organisation is reminding Commonwealth leaders that they have a mandate to act on serious violations of their values.
“Considering the atrocities, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard simply raising the issue of human rights with the Sri Lankan President is woefully inadequate. Commonwealth leaders have failed a critical moral challenge – standing up for the tens of thousands of victims of this brutal conflict,” said Ms Mallinson.
The organisation is also disappointed that both the recommendation to decriminalise homosexuality and the proposal for a Commissioner for Democracy, the Rule of Law and Human Rights failed.
Given the lack of consideration for grave human rights abuses committed in Sri Lanka, Amnesty International is also sceptical that the announced strengthening of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group will be effective in addressing serious human rights concerns.
“By turning a blind eye to war crimes, the Commonwealth is losing its legitimacy on human rights.”
Comments
Michael Wild | Posted on 5 November 2011, 03:20PM | Report comment
Dear Sajawee. This posting of yours was much more sensible and no right thinking people will disgree with your plea that there be no more fighting in your country (if you live in Sri Lanka. Two things need challenging. One was the statement “if it were a just war you would have won it!” I’m surprised a man of your experience should write it. Being just doesn’t mean you will win it and there are heaps of times when the victors were by no means just. All of the colonial invasions for starters.
The second was the description of Amnesty and Human Rights as morally corrupt. That’s a silly statement unworthy of a man of your age. I CHALLENGE YOU TO FIND A SINGLE CASE OF AMNESTY SUPPORTING VIOLENCE AS A POLITICAL TACTIC, THE TAMIL TIGERS OR EVEN REGIME CHANGE. If you can’t find them it will be an interesting test of your moral and intellectual character to see if you’re prepared to admit you haven’t found it and/or withdraw that comment. We in Amnesty just demand pretty basic standards of human rights, even in wars. We are, however, prepared to condemn atrocities even if this will be perceived as bias by the side which gets criticized.
sajeewi | Posted on 5 November 2011, 02:27PM | Report comment
As a Sri Lankan who can remember and suffer the consequences of course correction, which took place in 1960s and 1970s after the colonial divide and rule era and current security situation, is the best we had in 35 years. Leaders are sample of their community they serve. They meant to guide the masses out of harms way by being pragmatic. Sri Lanka is a democracy and hence people are responsible for their action. Majority as well as the minorities who live in the country has to select their leaders, and accept the consequences. Last leader Tamils have selected made you in to untenable, pathetic lot from a position, which was relatively good in 1970s. I can only beg from Tamils in Sri Lanka, learn something from the past and do not rely on your ex-relatives (and their morally bankrupt cronies Amnesty international, Human right watch, varies green socialist parties who are out of this world etc. etc.), who are living in frustration, throwing “spear change” at you to fight an un winnable war. At one stage they were thinking that they were in much better situation than you now cannot bear the fact there may be a future for Tamils in Sri Lanka. Anyone can see that there off springs after few generations not going to have so call kinship, heritage or ancestral rights. They will be another dark group of minority people who are frustrated, with no saying living in pockets with minimal integration to the community they are living in. You can see for yourself, now why are they angry about land registration and immigration rules? If it were a “just war” you would have won it! If you get coerce in to it this will be your own fault.
sajeewi | Posted on 3 November 2011, 01:12AM | Report comment
What is there as a right for a human more than his or her life. Sri Lanka’s violent terrorism did not started as a coincidence. It was well-orchestrated deliberate effort by the minority parties with outside influence as the country was going through the necessary course correction after the colonial divide and rule era. It is our fault that we were ignorant and allow ourselves coerce in to that mess. After all if we want to survive we have to stand up to ourselves and educate our selves. Minorities in my country watch, if you think this is the rock bottom. Don’t let your ex-relatives throw few coins of spear change at you to in varies forms including amnesty international to start another episode of violence. They are not your friends. They only bring devastation to your and all our communities. This is the best chance to select your representative carefully. At least this time find a leader who is going to guide you away form harms way. As you know terrorism only can be defeated by mirror tactics (now Proven by world powers as well as in Sri Lanka). We all learned our lesion. Minorities in so-called west are not integrated as you think. They are blaming everyone else for their underachievement due to obvious social racial biases exist in so call human right filled societies and express this anger by pumping you up with their spear change. Be pragmatic and know that if rajapaksa go to the gallows you will be in much worse situation than now.
Michael Wild | Posted on 2 November 2011, 11:41PM | Report comment
I expect no one answered you Sajeewi because they though it was a silly, empty question. If you choose to look up the annual reports by Amnesty and Human Rights Watch and a good number of the NGO’s you are cranky with, I’m pretty sure you’ll find your country had been noticed for some time. Why don’t you have a cup of tea and a lie down? You poor head seems to be getting over-heated.
sajeewi | Posted on 2 November 2011, 11:13PM | Report comment
Economic the majority is the best way to liberate a community. Coercion by the surrounding forces, pretending to have moral authority to dictate so call justice, including Amnesty International emphasizing the divisions among people with lesser problem solving skill and I find this is incomprehensible. These attempts are placing so much burdens on to our poor community to go in to this vicious cercal again. I feel the above do gooders enjoy seen poor skeletons like people blown out in my poverty stricken country while sipping there chardonnay. I read this as it may be giving them some sadistic pleasure or feeling good about themselves for some reason. Why sudden interest after 30 years as the misery has just ended….! On the other hand is it another covert arm to keep my children just as slaves as it was for us. At last we found a solution.
So far no one has answered my question of naming a country with human rights. Survival of the fittest is the only true doctrine in the animal (including human) world. We are all fighting for the survival and limited resources. There are no friends just interests. At least I am not hypocritical.
Michael Wild | Posted on 2 November 2011, 12:11AM | Report comment
Dear Sanjee.
I agree the Tamil Tigers (TTs) were vicious, ruthless, , mass killers and I understand they have a lot of blood of Tamil non-Tigers on their hands. Most non TT fans who follow the news know this. Like you I’m not a pacifist and neither is Amnesty. As a non Pacifist I believe there is such a thing as a just war and the TTs were certainly worth fighting against. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE ARE SUCH THINGS AS WAR CRIMES. There is lots of evidence that the Sri Lankan army committed them. In wars it is OK to take enemies prisoner. It’s not OK to torture them. Neither is it OK to hold them in secret detention; especially if it’s only based on suspicion. It’s OK to kill them if they are shooting you . It is NOT OK to shoot unarmed prisoners. Neither is it OK to deliberately shell crowds of civilians. Amnesty, along with most of the world believe, in fact know the Sri Lankan army did this.
We also note the Sir Lankan government has done everything possible to keep hidden what happened in those terrible last days. Given the news that did get out I can see they have every reason to ban journalists (especially foreign ones it can’t bully). A mature patriot doesn’t stand up for his country’s government if it’s committing war crimes because it happens to be the government of his country.
War crimes are war crimes and are unacceptable. This is not changed by good economic indicators, calling critics “morally corrupt” or swearing
sajeewi | Posted on 1 November 2011, 10:32PM | Report comment
Accountability cannot be for a one episode, only for a certain group. If at all this should be aimed at all the perpetrators both local and oversees and their supporters. Any amnesty warning to ATC, BTF, TGTE, TRO etc.etc.
By the way name a country with human rights. In Sri Lanka may 2009 was only a course correction thanks to the LTTE terrorists/supporters.
Consistency may help your organization to be little relevant. Otherwise you are another morally corrupt bunch with lots of f**** no s***!
sajeewi | Posted on 1 November 2011, 10:02PM | Report comment
All the economic makers are improving in Sri Lanka. Only major reform our country require is to increase defence budget to 20% GDP to support and defend the constitution of Sri Lanka against all enemies both foreign and domestic.
sajeewi | Posted on 1 November 2011, 09:35PM | Report comment
Sri Lankan forces should be congratulated by the Amnesty International for their effort in bringing the peace to my country for 30-year terrorist insurgency. After all what Amnesty can a person have more than his or her own life! (excluding the suicide bombers and their proponents for obvious reasons). I plead with the Amnesty to not to be a megaphone for this underachieved, frustrated minorities’ lives in so called western democracies, blaming Sri Lanka for there miseries due to social fabric they are living in, happy to through their spare change at you. We lived through this hell! As a previous believer in peace via negotiations now I can see there is no point negotiating with terrorists. When the parties involve is not intelligent enough to settle their difference in opinion, war is another tool, a necessary evil. Now if the current regime is removed the forces may have to step in to fill the vacuum and continue the stability. Vengeful ex relative of Tamils already antagonized the Sri Lankan forces. Imagine what will happen to both, parties especially for Tamils. I know so called “refugee Tamils” indifferent, cruel to there ex relatives misery wants to continue the fight so that they can watch it like a “Spanish Bull Fight” , in a distance for their primitive self gratitude. I am not suppressed or oppressed, will vote time and time again to Mr Rajapakse until there is a viable alternative.
kana | Posted on 1 November 2011, 08:49PM | Report comment
For effective reconciliation, there has to be accountability,”
RECONCILIATION in post-civil war Sri Lanka is impossible if the country’s Government fails to adequately investigate allegations of war crimes committed by its army (SLA) in 2009.
“Many thousands of men, women and children were left injured, homeless and dead at the end of the civil war and justice must be afforded to those people
“Those responsible for such atrocities need to be held to account. There will no peace in Sri Lanka or elsewhere in the world if international impunity for such crimes continues.”
Ram Mohan | Posted on 1 November 2011, 12:57PM | Report comment
The References below speak for themselves:
References;
1. The independent study performed by the University of Washington and Harvard
Medical School and published in the British Medical Journal on 19th June 2008,
estimated the number killed till 2002 to be between 215,000 and 338,000.
2. The submission by the Catholic Diocese of Mannar to the Lessons Learnt and
Reconciliation Commission of Sri Lanka on 8th January 2011 establishes from
Government Published Statistics that 146,679 people are unaccounted during the
last 8 months of the war.
3. The Cleghorn Minute of June 1799 by Sir Hugh Cleghorn, the first British
Colonial Secretary to the British Government stated that two different Nations
from a very ancient period have divided between them the possession of the
Island (of Sri Lanka). The minute also stated that the Tamils had the possession
of Northern and Eastern Districts and that the two Nations differed entirely on
their Language, Culture and Manners.
Sam | Posted on 1 November 2011, 12:02PM | Report comment
@ Dev - for full evidence visit www.warwithoutwitness.com
Dev | Posted on 1 November 2011, 08:29AM | Report comment
Can AI (or HRW and ICG) substantiate any of its allegations? Can AI make specific charges quoting name, place and date (at least one will do for a start). Prof. Wijesinha has repeatedly stated the Government’s willingness to investigate such a charge.
AI says ‘thousands’ of Tamils (tensof K? hundreds of K?). I notice that AI usually avoids commiting itself to definite figures. Why?
terry | Posted on 1 November 2011, 07:25AM | Report comment
Leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R.Sampanthan, in a press release issued to the media took exception to Head of Sri Lanka delegation to the UN and Minister in Rajapaksa government statement which said that his
“government’s approach to reconciliation has been predicated on building trust and amity between communities.” TNA retorted that the experience of the Tamil people does not support this claim and that “Tamil people of the North and East continue to be subjected to violence even after the end of the war.”
TNA comments on Samarasinghe UN statement
Sri Lanka lifted draconian emergency laws imposed nearly 30 years - but similarly tough powers remain available to authorities under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). It gives the army sweeping power, including that of investigation, search, arrest and detention. Public marches and meetings can be banned.
See reports by AFP, AP and Reuters.
Pretheepan | Posted on 1 November 2011, 06:47AM | Report comment
How can you trust Sri Lanka when even the LLRC report is not going to made public and is going to end up like the APRC the APC and all the other time wasting commissions
Dhathusena | Posted on 1 November 2011, 12:39AM | Report comment
Well,we need an impartial panel to investigate war crimes occurred all over the world.Bring up Iraq .Where is weapons of mass destruction.How about Israelis committing war crimes with patronage of west ally’s.Investigate all thoroughly and start from the big boys.Sri lankan forces must have committed war crimes and it is fair to bring the culprits to the justice.The impotent issue is west cannot wash hands and cover their crimes taking high moral grounds.Crime is a crime.Bring it up in fair way.Amnesty international you after only little jellyfish.You must target big sharks as well.On that day we will all support you.
ADRIAN | Posted on 31 October 2011, 09:20PM | Report comment
AI should also expose India involvement in Sri Lanka’s war crimes. It is India and Congress government are the main culprits protecting the Sri Lankan government from war crimes investigation. India needs to named and shamed for protecting Sri Lanka. It is India that protected Sri Lanka at the CHOGM
Michael Wild | Posted on 31 October 2011, 07:58PM | Report comment
By turning a blind eye to war crimes, the Commonwealth is losing its legitimacy on human rights”. I wasn’t aware the Commonwealth was oozing with legitimacy before it.
It occurs to me that the World’s genuinely democratic and politically free nations should form some sort of club of their own. It could be any ordinary talking shop but the needs to have a genuinely free press, genuine elections, no prisoners of conscience and clear policies in hand to reduce/discourage torture. (Every large police force and prison service has a few exceptionally bad apples).
The idea would be for it to be prestigious and the rules of only genuine Human Rights respecting government should be no firmly enforced. It would also get around the true if unpleasant fact that governments need to deal with the way the world is rather than would like to be and there are legitimate reasons for the leaders of free countries to speak to tyrants.
Freeman | Posted on 31 October 2011, 04:12PM | Report comment
Only Canadian PM, Stephen Harper, took a high moral ground, PMs of Britain and Australia stopped with rhetoric and India has become the apologist and protector of war criminal Mahinda Rajapakse, as the back seat driver in India cares for her native country more than the adopted one. Sri Lanka is given a blank cheque to continue with abductions, torture and extra-judicial killing of her dissidents especially who live under the military rule in the north and east. While the CHOGM was in session the unknown members of a paramilitary supported by the military assaulted two leaders of the Student Union of Jaffna University for supporting the main Tamil party, TNA. Though mono-ethnic army and police are deployed all over Jaffna the attackers are roaming free at large to do nit again.
Akootha | Posted on 31 October 2011, 03:33PM | Report comment
Well, disappointed, yes. Totally unexpected, no. We shall never give up until justice served.