Do Not Trade Rights for Politics: Truth and Accountability Are Genuine Basis of Justice
by Ramu Manivannan
(Following article is based on the speech delivered by the author in a side event at 29 Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. June 2015)
In recognition of the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan government and its authorities, we need to ask whether there is a unique case or a distinct crime here. The answer is, YES!, the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka has taken place over a period of time involving several steps and strategies. This includes continuous dismantling and destruction of the essential foundations of human life, of the Tamils in Sri Lanka. To be precise, the Sri Lankan government has employed the ‘doctrine of double effect’, the brutal military resolution of the ethnic conflict combined with the long-term strategy of ethnic cleansing. This ‘doctrine of double effect’ has been the most unmistakable exhibition of the genocidal intent of the State and its Sinhala nationalism
( June 18, 2015, Geneva, Sri Lanka Guardian) There are five basic conditions towards realization of transitional justice. First, revelation and acknowledgement of TRUTH. Secondly, accountability of the perpetuators of the mass crimes and crimes against humanity. Thirdly, ground for reconciliation could be explored by establishing the conditions for addressing issues like reform of the institutions and assurance of the non-recurrence of what happened in the past. Lastly, reparation and compensation cannot be treated as monetary allowance or as part of so called rehabilitation of the victims without rights and scope for political resolution of the conflict.
