US resolution calls on restrictions for persons responsible for war crimes

Thursday, 22 May 2014

The United States House of Representatives has called on the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to commence negotiations to reach a political solution to ensure a peaceful and unified Sri Lanka.

A House Resolution was submitted to the 113th Congress by Democratic Congressman of New Jersey Rush Holt.

H.Res. 587, co-signed by the Republican congressman Bill Johnson of Ohio, and Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts John Tierney, was submitted to the Congress on May 19.

H. Res. 587 has recommended that the Department of State place restrictions on entry to the United States for anyone it identifies as responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The resolution has expressed support for internal rebuilding, resettlement, accountability, and reconciliation within Sri Lanka so that Sri Lankans from all ethnic and religious communities may benefit from the end of the country’s long lasted war against terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The resolution has called on the government to acknowledge that the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report has not adequately addressed issues of accountability for possible war crimes and implement the constructive recommendations made by the LLRC.

It has asked the Sri Lankan government to work with international agencies that can support to address reconciliation and accountability, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in its investigation.

H.Res. 587, inter alia, has called on the government to prioritize the demilitarization process throughout the country and remove military from civil administration, allow for greater media freedom, protection of press, and ensure religious freedom,

H. Res. 587 has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker.