ICEP report finds SL crimes a result of 'deliberate planning and policy decisions'
05 February 2014
The report provides an in depth evidence based analysis of alleged attacks on civilians, denial of humanitarian assistance, extrajudicial killings, rape and sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment, enforced disappearances and post conflict violations committed by the Sri Lankan government.
Key findings from the report entitled ‘Island of Impunity?’ are reproduced below,
05 February 2014
The International Crimes Evidence Project (ICEP) on Sri Lanka, carried out by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), made several conclusions that added to mounting evidence that the Sri Lankan government was responsible for vast crimes against humanity.
conclusions that added to mounting evidence that the Sri Lankan government was responsible for vast crimes against humanity.
The report provides an in depth evidence based analysis of alleged attacks on civilians, denial of h
The report provides an in depth evidence based analysis of alleged attacks on civilians, denial of humanitarian assistance, extrajudicial killings, rape and sexual violence, torture and cruel treatment, enforced disappearances and post conflict violations committed by the Sri Lankan government.Key findings from the report entitled ‘Island of Impunity?’ are reproduced below,
“The report illustrates violations perpetrated by both parties to the conflict and in particular, widespread torture, sexual violence and enforced disappearance, which continue in part today, perpetrated by SFs (Sri Lankan Forces) on the civilian population.”
“There are also allegations of collusion and other acts by the Sri Lankan state, which inhibit accountability for wartime crimes and protect perpetrators.”
On indiscriminate killings of Tamil civilians,
“The impact of attacks on civilians suggests that the use of military force was manifestly disproportionate to any anticipated military advantage.”
“There are reasonable grounds to suspect that the incidents and patterns of incidents considered in this report are the result of deliberate planning and policy decisions.”
“Some attacks.. could be evidence of a direct attack on civilians and as such could amount to the war crime of attacking civilians."
“The evidentiary material gathered by ICEP calls into question why the Sri Lankan Army selected these areas to be NFZs (No Fire Zones) given their proximity to the LTTE’s defence lines and existence of LTTE targets.”
“Mortars and air-burst munitions, are indicative of a failure to program artillery fire control systems with the coordinates of these NFZ and therefore suggests an intention, or at least recklessness, regarding the actual target.”
On the denial of humanitarian assistance,
“The Sri Lankan Government deliberately understated the number of civilians in the conflict zone and the need for food and basic medical supplies. ICEP has compelling evidentiary material suggesting that civilians starved to death.”
“reasonable grounds to suspect … members of the Sri Lankan Government denied humanitarian assistance, in such a way as to amount to the war crime of cruel treatment and/or the crime against humanity of persecution or other inhumane acts.”
On post-conflict violations,
“allegations are that human remains from mass burial sites in the conflict zone were exhumed and were covertly destroyed. This highlights the urgent need for an internationally-mandated investigation.”
The report concluded,
“An independent and comprehensive international investigation is needed into these alleged violations of international law. The absence of such investigation will also ensure the ongoing impunity of those on both sides of the conduct who have committed violations, thereby emboldening those who may continue to abuse the civilian population.”
