Four years after defeating the Tamil Tigers, the Sri Lankan government and its leader, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, have been enjoying a surge in GDP growth and real incomes in a new era of peace. However, a new report released by the Public Interest Advocacy Center has accused the Sri Lankan security forces of destroying evidence of mass civilian killings and other human rights abuses during the final months of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2008 and 2009. The severe allegations warrant a thorough investigation by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court.
The inquiry found sweeping evidence of egregious levels of human rights abuses during the closing stages of the conflict. The report, titled “Island of Impunity?” details abuses by both the Tamil Tigers and the Sri Lankan armed forces, including summary executions, rape and torture. The report concludes that the military “committed the vast majority” of the crimes during this period. If the report is accurate, the crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court would be classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The report comes at a crucial time for international legal proceedings. The international community has not overlooked Sri Lanka’s failure to hold anyone accountable for Asia’s longest civil war. The United States has already promised to convene a third successive resolution in the UN Rights Council in Geneva to pressure the Sri Lankan government to combat the issue of accountability. However, this alone may not be enough.
Rajapaksa’s government has consistently rejected demands for an international inquiry and dismissed accusations as a conspiracy to appease Tamil sympathizers in the West. The Sri Lankan government, run by Rajapaksa and several family members, has consistently disputed the civilian death toll figures given by independent observers. When asked in November, Basil Rajapaksa, a brother of the president, said he “definitely will object it.”
David Cameron, who has been the most vocal of world leaders to denounce Sri Lanka’s human rights record, gave Rajapaksa’s government an ultimatum in November. The government had until March to complete an internal investigation and hold those culpable to bear the full weight of the law. If not, then Cameron would demand swift action by the UN Commission on Human Rights. The Sri Lankan government has failed to launch an investigation, let alone complete one. The latest report should bolster the argument for those calling on an international inquiry. The murderous actions during the civil war should not be forgotten. In a month’s time, it is the duty of the international community to hold those responsible for these appalling acts against justice.
Harry Brown is a staff columnist. Harry’s Take is published every Monday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
