US insists time to seek accountability is now-Resolution not against but in support of Sri Lanka
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti-
March 29, 2014
The time to pursue lasting peace and prosperity is now, and justice and accountability cannot wait for Sri Lanka that had suffered nearly three decades of war, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Michele J. Sison, said yesterday.
Speaking at a roundtable with Colombo-based journalists, the US envoy emphasized that the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday was 'not against Sri Lanka but was undertaken in support of the Sri Lankan people' and one that recognized the resilience they (Sri Lankans) have shown after years of war and their yearning for democracy and prosperity.
Reiterating the position expressed by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, about peace and reconciliation in the island having to be pursued 'now,' Sison said, the resolution built on the two previous resolutions, affirming the belief of the international community that .continued effort is needed to help Sri Lanka take meaningful action on reconciliation, justice and accountability.
When questioned about the public sentiment that the resolution was 'harsh' and 'judgemental,' the US envoy said, the UNHRC resolution recognized the need to pursue peace and reconciliation as an immediate requirement and had the interest of Sri Lankans at heart. Denying that the draft undermined the domestic processes, Sison said the resolution focused on the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and that for years, the US has supported a 'Sri Lankan-led process' to resolve outstanding concerns from the conflict.
She said the resolution has mandated the high Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive independent investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka, during the period covered by the LLRC and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with relevant experts and special procedures," adding that the time frame mentioned in the draft indicated, there is significant respect for the 'home-grown formula' to deal with the post-conflict concerns.
She added: "The US Government has been vocal in our support of the report by the LLRC and its recommendations for addressing longstanding issues of reconciliation, justice and accountability. But, we are of the view that adequate progress has not been achieved, and this needs to be addressed."
When questioned as to why the resolution did not refer to atrocities committed by the LTTE while demanding accountability from the Sri Lankan Government and Sri Lankan Security Forces, Sison said, the resolution referred to a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka, claiming there was no attempt at exclusions from liability. "However, it is also about State obligations to its own people. Allegations have to be investigated."
The ambassador noted, the US was the first country to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist organization and it remains a designated organization in the US. "We know the horror that this conflict brought on the lives of all Sri Lankan communities. We were encouraged to see the end of that long and terrible conflict and we support the Sri Lankan people and their desire to see a unified, peaceful country."
The ambassador also insisted: "The adoption of this resolution does not mean the door is closed."
When questioned what measures would be taken in the event of non-compliance by Sri Lanka as claimed by the Sri Lankan Government, the ambassador said, the process to follow in establishing an investigation was clearly stated in the resolution and the US encouraged Sri Lanka to co-operate with the Office of the High Commissioner.
"We are concerned about continued attacks against human rights defenders, religious minorities and journalists, besides the weakening of the rule of law and increasing impunity for illegal actions. Recently too, we saw the detention of human rights defenders in Sri Lanka, and the harassment and intimidation of many other members of civil society, including lawyers. We continue to call for an end to such acts of intimidation and for all those detained to be provided due process and granted immediate access to legal counsel and urge the Sri Lankan Government to allow human rights defenders to be allowed to carry out their work without harassment or intimidation; their duty is to ensure human rights for all," the Ambassador said.
By Dilrukshi Handunnetti-
March 29, 2014
The time to pursue lasting peace and prosperity is now, and justice and accountability cannot wait for Sri Lanka that had suffered nearly three decades of war, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Michele J. Sison, said yesterday.
Speaking at a roundtable with Colombo-based journalists, the US envoy emphasized that the resolution adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday was 'not against Sri Lanka but was undertaken in support of the Sri Lankan people' and one that recognized the resilience they (Sri Lankans) have shown after years of war and their yearning for democracy and prosperity.
Reiterating the position expressed by the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, about peace and reconciliation in the island having to be pursued 'now,' Sison said, the resolution built on the two previous resolutions, affirming the belief of the international community that .continued effort is needed to help Sri Lanka take meaningful action on reconciliation, justice and accountability.
When questioned about the public sentiment that the resolution was 'harsh' and 'judgemental,' the US envoy said, the UNHRC resolution recognized the need to pursue peace and reconciliation as an immediate requirement and had the interest of Sri Lankans at heart. Denying that the draft undermined the domestic processes, Sison said the resolution focused on the implementation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and that for years, the US has supported a 'Sri Lankan-led process' to resolve outstanding concerns from the conflict.
She said the resolution has mandated the high Commissioner to undertake a comprehensive independent investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka, during the period covered by the LLRC and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations and of the crimes perpetrated with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability, with relevant experts and special procedures," adding that the time frame mentioned in the draft indicated, there is significant respect for the 'home-grown formula' to deal with the post-conflict concerns.
She added: "The US Government has been vocal in our support of the report by the LLRC and its recommendations for addressing longstanding issues of reconciliation, justice and accountability. But, we are of the view that adequate progress has not been achieved, and this needs to be addressed."
When questioned as to why the resolution did not refer to atrocities committed by the LTTE while demanding accountability from the Sri Lankan Government and Sri Lankan Security Forces, Sison said, the resolution referred to a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka, claiming there was no attempt at exclusions from liability. "However, it is also about State obligations to its own people. Allegations have to be investigated."
The ambassador noted, the US was the first country to proscribe the LTTE as a terrorist organization and it remains a designated organization in the US. "We know the horror that this conflict brought on the lives of all Sri Lankan communities. We were encouraged to see the end of that long and terrible conflict and we support the Sri Lankan people and their desire to see a unified, peaceful country."
The ambassador also insisted: "The adoption of this resolution does not mean the door is closed."
When questioned what measures would be taken in the event of non-compliance by Sri Lanka as claimed by the Sri Lankan Government, the ambassador said, the process to follow in establishing an investigation was clearly stated in the resolution and the US encouraged Sri Lanka to co-operate with the Office of the High Commissioner.
"We are concerned about continued attacks against human rights defenders, religious minorities and journalists, besides the weakening of the rule of law and increasing impunity for illegal actions. Recently too, we saw the detention of human rights defenders in Sri Lanka, and the harassment and intimidation of many other members of civil society, including lawyers. We continue to call for an end to such acts of intimidation and for all those detained to be provided due process and granted immediate access to legal counsel and urge the Sri Lankan Government to allow human rights defenders to be allowed to carry out their work without harassment or intimidation; their duty is to ensure human rights for all," the Ambassador said.
