The Sri Lankan government promised the UN in May 2009 that it would address these violations. But so far what has it done? President Rajapaksa appointed a committee of experts to advise him on how to respond to the State Department report. And within the past week he has appointed a reconciliation commission to look into events during the war.
Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan government has a poor record of holding its forces accountable. Just read the Amnesty report, “Twenty Years of Make-Believe: Sri Lanka’s Commissions of Inquiry,” and you’ll see what I mean.
We can’t count on getting justice from the Sri Lankan government. So we’re starting a global action today calling on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to undertake an independent international investigation into violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including war crimes, committed by both sides during the war in Sri Lanka. Such an investigation is a necessary first step to achieving justice for the victims and their families. Please add your signature to our online petition today – every voice counts! Thanks.