ANC statement on the UN panel of experts` recommendations on Sri Lanka

AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT

Author : Ebrahim Ebrahim

ANC statement on the UN panel of experts` recommendations on Sri Lanka

6 May 2011
The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, had appointed a Panel of Experts to advise him on accountability in the Sri Lankan conflict. Amongst those who served on the panel is Yasmin Sooka, a prominent South African jurist. The Panel of Experts concluded that there were serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed by both the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers Tamil Eelam (LTTE), some of which would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The African National Congress has consistently condemned any act of violation of human rights in all conflict areas. We therefore urge all conflicting parties to resolve problems through peaceful dialogue and negotiation. We have noted, with regret, that breakdown of the ceasefire and the negotiations between the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE led to a military solution of resolving the problems.
The ANC supports the recommendations of the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s Panel of Experts that called for the establishment of an independent body to investigate all violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws committed in the conflict.
We also call on the government of Sri Lanka to take immediate steps to address the core grievances of the Tamil population and engage in a genuine reconciliation process.
Issued by:
Head of International Relations
Dr Ebrahim Ebrahim
African National Congress

Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo 082 370 6930
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Friday, May 6, 2011

Tigers' war is over but controversial benefactor won't give up fight for justice 

Tim Elliott  May 7, 2011                                                 Teaching Tamil Tiger medical students in Sri Lanka in 2005.

"It's an ongoing tragedy and yet no one is held responsible" ... Professor John Whitehall. Photo: Brendan Esposito

They're freedom fighters, not terrorists, says Professor John Whitehall. Tim Elliott writes.

HE HAS been called a ''terrorist collaborator'' and ''cunning propagandist'', a ''brainwashed puppet'' and ''naive white man''. He has been investigated by the Australian Federal Police and was mentioned last year by a Supreme Court judge in relation to potential anti-terrorism charges. But for Professor John Whitehall, the University of Western Sydney's foundation chair of paediatrics and child health, ''collaborating'' with Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers is nothing to hide from.
 
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