"STOP - The Unfinished War Against Tamils"
Prof. Ted Orlin
Recent reports of the maltreatment of the Girls As Young Tamil Sinhala exclusively recruited into the army make Headlines, Attention to the Long and Systematic use of Violence and sexual abuse REGISTER Attention at the 25 TH session of the UNHuman Rights Council (HRC). Amnesty International Organized a well-attended Side Event entitled, ' An unfinished War: Torture and sexual Violence in Sri Lanka From 2009-2014 '. Women's rights activist the prominent was the Principal Presenter Ms. Yasmin Sooka , who Leads the International Truth and Justice Project, the report's Publisher. Ms. Sooka brings to the project long experience and an impeccable reputation having been a member and contributor to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa as well as the Ivory Coast.
This presentation by Ms. Sooka was based on a research project of 40 Tamils, 20 men and 20 women, who were subject to rape and torture, by the Sri Lankan armed forces. It confirmed a long existing pattern with these abuses having their origin in the horrific times of the JVP insurrection, later the perpetrators enjoyed high posts in the uniformed services. The culture of impunity in the governmental forces was apparent then, and is, as highlighted by this report, a recurring problem that persists. In all these 40 cases the victims managed to leave Sri Lanka and an overwhelming majority of them are now in the UK allowing this research to be done and to be made public.
Ms. Sooka spoke to those attending the HRC meeting, who are concerned about the deteriorating situation in Sri Lanka. The results gave ample evidence that these practices are not ancient, but reflect the present tragedy of human rights violations in Sri Lanka. The report is confined to Post War Sri Lanka, noting that these violations continue beyond the formal cessation of the war. Of the 40 cases examined an overwhelming 21 cases of violations were reported between 2013 and 2014, one as late as February 2014; 15 cases in 2011-2012, 4 cases in 2009-2010. It is not known how many were victims of this brutal savagery in the Manik farm camps in the years from 2009 to 2012. All the victims are 20 to 35 in age and come from the North and East of Sri Lanka.
Part of the intent of examining these 40 victims was to establish whether the many allegations of sexual abuse and torture were credible or not. 9 investigators, some from Asia questioned these victims and obtained 38 sworn statements supported by medico-legal reports. All these findings confirmed that the victims were subject to rape and torture by the security forces. It must be noted Sri Lanka is a signatory to the Convention against Torture (CAT) and 'torture' is prohibited by International Law. By this Convention there is 'no justification, under any circumstance' to use torture, but it continues unabated in Sri Lanka, even after the war is formally ended. Torture, as was repeatedly noted at the session, is an international crime subject to universal jurisdiction. In the recent past torturers have been tried, convicted and punished by both international and domestic courts. International law does not respect the impunity of any person, either government officials or members of the military for any act of torture. Read More
