German foreign minister offers assistance for Sri Lankan probe of alleged war atrocities

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier addresses the media after his meeting with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. Steinmeier is on a official visit to Sri Lanka. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) (The Associated Press)

September 22, 2015

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka –  Germany has offered assistance to Sri Lanka in its investigation of alleged atrocities during its civil war, in which thousands of people died.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier made the offer in a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart on Tuesday.

Last week, the United Nations human rights chief recommended that Sri Lanka set up a special hybrid court that would include foreign judges and investigators to examine the alleged atrocities, saying Sri Lanka's own courts are not yet ready to carry out a fair judicial process.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said then that the country wants to conduct its own investigation but would accept some outside technical support.

Steinmeier said Tuesday that the extent of international assistance should be deliberated at the U.N. Human Rights Council.