Internal Probe Asserts UN Failed Tamil Civilians in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 14 November 2012 

A leaked draft report states that the United Nations (UN) failed in its mandate to protect Tamil civilians during the final days of the military campaign conducted by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) against the Tamil people in 2009.

Tamil rights groups believe the Tamil death toll could be as high as 146,000 predominantly due to indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations by the GoSL.

While outlining the shortcomings of the UN, the Petrie Report also lists recommendations for the UN in an attempt to prevent such an abandonment of humanitarian responsibilities in future conflicts.

“Such reports will only hold any weight if the UN acts to ensure that it redeems itself from its colossal failure in protecting the Tamil people,” said Dr. Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress (ATC). “It is not just an international independent investigation into war crimes that is much overdue now, but sovereignty of the Tamil people with their right of self-determination being restored post genocide, as was in the case with nations such as Kosovo.”

The ATC has continued to call for an independent international investigation into war crimes during and since the end of the bloodbath and has also joined other Tamil community groups, both within the island of Sri Lanka and amongst diaspora communities for the restoration of Tamil sovereignty within the traditional Tamil homeland. This call was also affirmed at an international conference held in London on Saturday attended by representatives from Tamil diaspora communities as well from India and the island of Sri Lanka.

Media contact:

Dr. Sam Pari, Australian Tamil Congress – 0433 428 967