EU Demands Independent Probe
By Easwaran Rutnam
The European Union (EU) wants an independent investigation and evaluation into the final years of the war in Sri Lanka, in addition to the national enquiries.
Jean Lambert, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation to South Asia, told The Sunday Leader that the EU remains concerned about reports of threats and attacks on human rights defenders and journalists in Sri Lanka, and encourages authorities to hold those responsible accountable.
Recently the European Parliament passed a resolution on the upcoming UN Human Rights Council, re-emphasising the need for accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.
Lambert said that the EU Parliament welcomed the UNHRC resolution last year on Sri Lanka, and would hope that progress has been made since its adoption.
“It is promising to note that there has not been an outbreak of conflict since the end of the war in 2009. We have seen some of the infrastructure investment made by the Government in the former conflict zones and have also discussed issues of job creation and social investment, which are positive steps forward and to be welcomed,” she said.
However, she said many unsettled issues remain such as the inclusion of the Tamil population in post-war reconstruction efforts, and implementation of the recommendations contained in the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission Report.
Commenting on the recent report released by the army on the final stages of the war, Lambert said that the EU Parliament has not specifically discussed the report from the Sri Lankan Army but she took note that one of the conclusions is that the police should remain under the control of the Ministry of Defence.
“In our discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities we have been keen to ensure that the police are seen as a civilian force in order to develop a position of greater trust with the population,” she said.
Lambert said the European Parliament would like to encourage the Sri Lankan authorities to work together with the UN Human Rights Office.
“We are hoping to welcome a Sri Lankan Parliamentary delegation to Brussels later this year, and see this as a good opportunity to hold more in-depth discussions on the overall situation in Sri Lanka,” she said.
There are hundreds being killed even now, in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and also in US as in the US’s incessant drone attacks on suspects. These are defined as collateral damage and excused. Sri Lanka did not have the drone but they did target the LTTE insurgents. There may have been some collateral deaths of the innocents but it is difficult to stomach the claim that Sri Lankan Army deliberately targeted hospitals and killed thousands. I have seen many pictures showing the soldiers giving succour to the innocent Tamils fleeing from the LTTE but these pictures are rarely shown in the West.
Is EU still unaware that more than 3000 civilians have been abducted by the notorius white van goon squads from 2009 to date and gone missing and the number still rising ? Not one of those murdered in the ethnic strife has been investigated to date as the police is part of the problem! Mere discussions will get you nowhere. It is best to support the ongoing UNHRC proceedings. Look into the governance record which is at the heart of the problem if EU is really serious.
Sylvia Haik, you are talking through your hat. Your quote “There may have been some collateral deaths of the innocents but it is difficult to stomach the claim that Sri Lankan Army deliberately targeted hospitals and killed thousands” – read what the UN stated in their failures in Sri Lanka. The army targeted civilians so did the dreaded LTTE fellows. This is a third world country’s military. The LTTE is a terrorist group. Have you lost anyone in this nasty war? It appears you have not. Lose a family member or a close friend and you will feel the pain. If you have lost someone to the military and you still write like this, then you are a thick skinned scum. I lost many members and friends of my family not only to the dreaded SL military but also the nasty LTTE scumbags. You are trying to hoodwink the entire world by throwing the LTTE in front of the whole world to pull a dark screen so that no one will notice what went on in this country. Almost 150,000 civilians died in the hands of the military and the LTTE during the last days of the war and you call that a few civilian deaths?