US calls for investigations and prosecutions

 12 January 2014

The United States has released a statement calling on Sri Lanka to hold independent and credible investigations into reported human rights abuses, adding that, where relevant, prosecutions should also be taking place. In a statement marking the end of US Ambassador at large for War Crimes Stephen Rapp’s visit to the island, the United States said he had heard about the “continuing desire for reconciliation, justice and accountability”. It went on to add, “During Ambassador Rapp's discussions, he listened to eyewitness accounts about serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those that occurred at the end of the war. In that context the government of the United States encourages the government of Sri Lanka to seek the truth through independent and credible investigations, and where relevant, have prosecutions.” See the full statement here. On his visit Rapp was told of the use of chemical weapons and cluster bombs by the Sri Lankan armed forces and visited sites which saw the “killing of hundreds of families by army shelling”, according to the US Embassy. Rapp's presence also drew angry demonstrations from Sinhala protestors, who labelled him a “threat to world peace”, as well as harsh statements from ruling political parties and even the army itself, who denied the reports of killings as "baseless" and "fabricated". Ambassador Rapp Concludes Visit to Sri Lanka January 12, 2014 Read this press release in Sinhala (pdf, 130 kb) Read this press release in Tamil (pdf, 90 kb) Ambassador Stephen J. Rapp visited Sri Lanka from January 6-11 to meet with government and political leaders, civil society, and to tour former conflict zones.  He heard about the progress made since the conflict, but also the Sri Lankan people's continuing desire for reconciliation, justice and accountability. During Ambassador Rapp's discussions, he listened to eyewitness accounts about serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, including those that occurred at the end of the war. In that context the government of the United States encourages the government of Sri Lanka to seek the truth through independent and credible investigations, and where relevant, have prosecutions. The United States remains committed to working with the Government of Sri Lanka to promote greater peace and prosperity for all of the people of Sri Lanka. It is vital that all sides come to an agreement on events, have appropriate redress, and move forward as a unified country that upholds the rule of law and respects the principles of democratic governance.