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UN call for Sri Lanka war probe
[BBC] The UN's high commissioner for human rights has called for an independent investigation into alleged atrocities by both sides in Sri Lanka's civil war. Navi Pillay said it was the only way to build a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka.Her comments to the UN's Human Rights Council (UNHRC) come amid growing concern for more than 250,000 civilians now living in government-run camps. Sri Lanka has rejected Ms Pillay's demands and has called instead for financial aid to rebuild the country. In her opening speech to the UNHRC's emergency summit in Geneva, Ms Pillay said there were "strong reasons to believe that both sides have grossly disregarded the fundamental principle of the inviolability of civilians". She said an "independent and credible international investigation" should be carried out to establish "the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities". "Establishing the facts is crucial to set the record straight regarding the conduct of all parties in the conflict," she said. "Victims and survivors have a right to justice and remedies." Her comments were echoed by the UN's Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes, who told the BBC an investigation was essential if the country was to move forward. Mr Holmes said the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) had used civilians as human shields "in the most cynical and brutal way", but that civilians had also been "affected very badly" by being caught up in army shelling. Posted by: Fred 2009-05-27 |
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