Updated
A United Nations report has found "credible allegations" that the Sri Lankan Government committed war crimes during the country's civil war, according to Sri Lankan media.
The pro-government newspaper, The Island, says the leaked UN reports includes claims that the Sri Lankan Government deliberately shelled hospitals and fired on civilians during the battle with the separatist Tamil Tigers. The Sri Lankan Government has reject the report, describing it as "flawed" and "biased". The UN report also alleges that Tamil Tiger fighters committed war crimes and used civilians as human shields. The panel that compiled the report is recommending an international investigation into the claims and the report is expected to be officially released this week.
Reporter: Cameron Wilson
Speakers: Gordon Weiss, former spokesman for the UN in Sri Lanka
WEISS: Well, the claims are extremely severe. The panel characterised what happened in Sri Lanka as a grave assault on the entire system of international law and security, so it regards the sheer magnitude of those crimes as a serious challenge to international order.The pro-government newspaper, The Island, says the leaked UN reports includes claims that the Sri Lankan Government deliberately shelled hospitals and fired on civilians during the battle with the separatist Tamil Tigers. The Sri Lankan Government has reject the report, describing it as "flawed" and "biased". The UN report also alleges that Tamil Tiger fighters committed war crimes and used civilians as human shields. The panel that compiled the report is recommending an international investigation into the claims and the report is expected to be officially released this week.
Reporter: Cameron Wilson
Speakers: Gordon Weiss, former spokesman for the UN in Sri Lanka
Audio: Weiss interview with ABCFull Story>>>
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Monday, April 18, 2011
Report Finds Sri Lanka Attacked Civilians
By LYDIA POLGREEN Published: April 18, 2011
NEW DELHI — A United Nations panel investigating allegations of war crimes by Sri Lankan troops at the end of the bloody battle against Tamil rebels in May 2009 found that there was credible evidence that government soldiers had targeted civilians, shelled hospitals and attacked humanitarian workers, according to a leaked copy of the panel’s report. “Tens of thousands lost their lives from January to May 2009, many of whom died anonymously in the carnage of the final few days,” the report said, significantly increasing the United Nations estimate for the civilian death toll in the last days of the war. Full Story
