Buddhist mobs attack aid workers' homes in Myanmar
By ASSOCIATED PRESS-27 March 2014 

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Buddhist-led mobs tore through streets hurling stones at the offices and residences of international aid workers in Myanmar's western Rakhine state Thursday, prompting the evacuation of almost all non-essential staff, residents and officials said. Some were flown out, others placed under protection at a police guest house.

There were no immediate indications anyone was hurt in the violence, which started in the state capital, Sittwe, late Wednesday and picked up again early Thursday, with angry crowds swelling in size from several hundred to more than 1,000.

Buddhist Mobs Attack Aid Workers' Homes in Myanmar by nelvely

Independent Scotland 'may keep pound' to ensure stability

Comments made to Guardian by government minister at heart of pro-union campaign will be major boost for Alex Salmond

Scotland's first minister, Alex Salmond, has accused the UK’s three main parties of 'bluff, bluster and bullying' over a currency union. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

Independent Scotland 'May Keep Pound' to Ensure Stability by nelvely

Search for missing MH370 moves closer to Australia

FRIDAY 28 MARCH 2014

The search area for the Malaysia Airlines jetliner, which disappeared nearly three weeks ago, shifts to a new part of the Indian Ocean due to a "credible lead".

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (Amsa) said the search would now focus on an area 1,100km north-east of the previous zone.

The change is based on more analysis of radar data by Boeing that showed the plane was going faster between the South China Sea and the strait of Malacca, therefore using more fuel – and running out of it more quickly.

The Malaysian authorities said the new area could be consistent with possible debris spotted by satellite images. Acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said: "Because of ocean drift, this new search area could still be consistent with the potential objects identified by various satellite images over the past week. This work is on-going, and we can expect further refinements."

'Complex investigation'

Journalists in Kuala Lumpur were told it was a "complex investigation" and search conditions remained "challenging". Mr Hussein said help was being made available from across the world, which would "probably change the aviation landscape in future".

The Boeing 777 disappeared on 8 March with 239 people on board, shortly after taking off from Kuala Lumper en route to Beijing.

The new area is around 319,000 sq kilometres (kms), and is closer to Perth - around 1,850 kms west of the Australian city. The ocean there is between 2,000m (6,560 feet) and 4,000m (13,120 feet) deep.

Ten aircraft and six ships have already been asigned to search this new part of the sea, which is expected to prove less challenging than the inital area: severe weather conditions had grounded planes searching the futher corner of the south Indian Ocean earlier in the week.

However refocusing the search on this new area makes the satellite photos of possible debris, that raised the hopes of finding the plane, completely redundant.

Article Tags

 

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, World

Geneva 2014: First whispers of an impending storm

 Thursday 27th March 2014

Since 2004, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been on a remarkable winning streak.
In April that year he wrested the Premiership from former Foreign Minister and Chandrika Kumaratunga confidant, Lakshman Kadirgamar, after the newly-constituted United People’s Freedom Alliance led by the SLFP won its first Parliamentary election.

Geneva 2014 First Whispers of an Impending Storm by nelvely

Sri Lanka war crimes: the evidence

THURSDAY 27 MARCH 2014
As the UN prepares to launch an inquiry into allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, Channel 4 News presents the evidence collected by this programme over the past five years.

Since the end of the Sri Lankan civil war, in which atrocities are reported to have been committed by both the Sri Lankan military and the LTTE, commonly known as the Tamil Tigers, Channel 4 Newshas aired shocking footage of alleged violations.

The footage includes evidence of prisoner executions, sexual violence and the targeting of civilians.

Below, Channel 4 News presents the evidence that may be of interest to the UN inquiry collected since the war's end in 2009 (warning, videos contain footage that viewers may find distressing).

August 2009

Channel 4 News first broadcasts footage from inside the final stages of the war. The footage, apparently showing government troops executing Tamil prisoners, was smuggled out of Sri Lanka by a democracy campaign group.

The Sri Lankan government dismissed the footage as "fake", but a UN report, including frame-by-frame analysis, said the video "appears authentic" and that there was no evidence that the video was faked.

In May 2010, a senior Sri Lankan commander and a frontline soldier told Channel 4 News that such killings did take place, and that they were "ordered from the top".

November 2010

Channel 4 News obtained new images of the above incident, which raised new questions. The footage reveals the naked, dead bodies of at least seven women - suggesting that sexual assaults may have taken place.

Sri Lanka's High Commission told Channel 4 News that it "categorically denies" that the video was authentic. A leading war crimes lawyer said the footage was "clear evidence of the execution of unarmed combatants or civilians."

December 2010

A close friend and colleague identifies one of the bodies from footage shown by Channel 4 News as Isaipriya, a TV presenter and member of the LTTE's propaganda wing.

The Sri Lanka High Commission told Channel 4 News that "'Lt. Col. Issei Piriya' was engaged in a hostile operation against the Sri Lankan forces when she met her end". Video evidence that comes later suggests that this was not the case.

April 2011

Channel 4 News obtains exclusive footage from the "closed off" corner of northern Sri Lanka, showing evidence of repression and abuse in internment camps.

Sri Lanka's High Commission said the Channel 4 News report lacked "credibility, transparency and verifiability" and said the report was part of a "sinister campaign".

In June, a Channel 4 feature, Sri Lanka's Killing Fields, was screened for the UN Human Rights Council. The film showed disturbing footage of the alleged massacre of prisoners, the targeted shelling of hospitals and the bodies of female Tamil fighters allegedly sexually assaulted.

July 2011

Two eyewitnesses tell Channel 4 News orders came from the top to "finish it off" - meaning, it was suggested, ending the civil war no matter how many civilian fatalities were inflicted.

The witnesses named the people who gave orders, and also told Channel 4 News about the brutal actions of soldiers.

November 2011

Evidence of torture since the end of the war was broadcast by Channel 4 News in November 2011.

Several Tamils described being beaten with steel cables, being dunked in water, having cigarettes stubbed out on skin and being given urine to drink.

The newly announced UN inquiry will look at allegations of continuing human rights violations, as well as war crimes allegedly committed during the civil war.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's government dismissed the reports as "preposterous".

October 2013

Ahead of the Commonwealth heads of government summit in 2013, Channel 4 News revealed new evidence around the fate of TV presenter Isaipriya. The footage shows her alive and in the custody of government forces.

Previous video footage had shown Isaipriya dead, including clear evidence that she had been sexually assaulted.

The footage was shown in the Channel 4 film No Fire Zone.

March 2014

More footage emerges from the Sri Lankan civil war, but this time, journalist Callum Macrae says, it is "amongst the worst I have ever seen."

The footage appears to show Sri Lankan soldiers sexually violating the dead bodies of female Tamil Tiger fighters. In two cases the dead have serious head wounds - possibly a sign that they were executed.

Unlawful Restrictions On Media By State Or Private Actors Is A Matter Of Serious Public Concern And Must Be Questioned – Bishop Chickera And Prof. Savitri

March 27, 2014

“We appreciate the work of Colombo Telegraph in raising important issues of public interest. Freedom of speech expression and the connected right to information are important for all citizens of this country, and the current interruption of news through Colombo Telegraph is a violation of our rights. Unlawful restrictions on the media by the State or private actors is a matter of serious public concern and must be questioned.” two prominent members of the Friday Forum said today.

Prof. Savitri Goonesekere

Bishop Duleep de Chickera

Responding to a quarry by Colombo Telegraph Prof. Savitri Goonesekere and Bishop Duleep de Chickera, made above remarks today. We asked individual opinion form selected members of the Friday Forum on the serious conflict of interest arising fromJayantha Dhanapala‘s roles as a non-executive director of Dialog and as a member of the Friday Forum. So far we have only heard from  JC Weliamuna, Prof. Savitri Goonesekere and Bishop Duleep de Chickera.

Ten days ago we wrote to them seeking their individual opinion; “As a member of the Friday Forum, and associated with its public statements that are often issued under the signature of Mr. Dhanapala, we would like to know what your personal view is of this serious conflict of interest. We think it is of fundamental public concern, and critical to the credibility of civil society voices both individual and collective, that your views are made known.”

Sending a joint reply, Prof Goonesekere and Bishop Chickera said; “In regard to the issue of conflict of interest raised in your letter, we wish to point out that members of the Friday Forum have diverse professional interests. They engage with the State and the private sector. Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala in his personal capacity can have professional connections with the Company you refer to in your letter. We are confident that he will address issues of Company policy involving the public interest with fairness and personal integrity, respecting legal norms and standards of accountable corporate governance.

“Jayantha Dhanapala has provided wise and timely leadership on issues of public concern, which in our view needs to be affirmed in an environment where such leadership is critically important for our country.”

                                                            Related posts;

Picture Evidence: After Dhanapala Addressed BASL Meeting Dialog Blocked Colombo Telegraph Again

March 27, 2014 

After its Director Jayantha Dhanapala gave a speech in a public meeting, Dialog one of Sri Lanka’s key telecommunications providers blocked Colombo Telegraph again.

Jayantha Dhanapala

Dialog had been surreptitious blocking access to Colombo Telegraph, over a period of time had lifted the illegal ban on Colombo Telegraph for its Director Jayantha Dhanapala to give a speech at the BASL summoned Public Forum on the vesting of Police Powers on the Army Navy and Air Force and the break down of the Rule of Law situation on March 25, 2014.

Dhanpala, member of the Board of Directors, Dialog Axiata PLC, key co-signatory of the Friday Forum, a resource person for workshops, seminars and conferences on good governance and the former Under Secretary General United Nations.

Colombo Telegraph is being blocked by all internet service providers and mobile networks – private and state owned – in Sri Lanka. We publish below two screenshots provided by Dialog customers;Read More

UN rights council approves inquiry into alleged abuses in Sri Lanka war

Human Rights Council adopts resolution approving inquiry into alleged abuses in Sri Lanka war. UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

27 March 2014 – The United Nations Human Rights Council today voted to open an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by both the Sri Lankan Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the final stages of a decades-long conflict that ended in 2009.

Adopted by a vote of 23 in favour to 12 against with 12 abstentions, the Geneva-based Council requested the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to undertake a “comprehensive investigation” into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties, and to establish the facts and circumstances of such alleged violations “with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability.”

The Sri Lankan Government declared victory over the rebel LTTE in May 2009, after a conflict that had raged on and off for nearly three decades and killed thousands of people. The final months of the conflict had generated concerns about alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

By its action today, the Council reiterated its call on the Government to implement the constructive recommendations made in the report of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission.

It also called on the Government to release publicly the results of its investigations into alleged violations by security forces, including the attack on unarmed protesters in Weliweriya in August 2013, and the report of 2013, by the court of inquiry of the Sri Lanka Army.

In her address to the Council yesterday, High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stressed the need to ensure justice and accountability, including through the establishment of an independent and credible investigation, saying: “This is essential to advance the right to truth for all in Sri Lanka and create further opportunities for justice, accountability and redress.”

She noted that in recent years, the Government has established various mechanisms with the task to investigate past violations. “But none have had the independence to be effective or inspire confidence among victims and witnesses,” she stated.

At the same time, new evidence continues to emerge, and witnesses are willing to come forward to testify before international mechanisms in which they have confidence and which can guarantee their protection, the High Commissioner added.

“This shows that an international inquiry is not only warranted, but also possible, and can play a positive role in eliciting new information and establishing the truth where domestic inquiry mechanisms have failed.”

The Council has in the past called on the Sri Lankan Government to take credible steps to ensure accountability for alleged serious violations committed during the final months of the conflict.

MaRa ready for aerial use of toxic gas on protestors –Police to be given two special Russian helicopters

(Lanka-e-News- 26.March.2014, 11.30PM) Medamulana Rajapakse who is bragging with all his might that he does not care two hoots for the consequences of the resolutions tabled at the recent Geneva sessions no matter it is in his favor or disfavor , is getting ready to stifle monumental protests and demonstrations of the people he is apprehensively anticipating- an order has been placed with Russia to import two helicopters at colossal cost that can aerially spray poison gas on the people according to reports reaching Lanka e news.

What is specially noteworthy in this import is , these helicopters are for the police and not for the forces. 

Helicopters are used in the world only to combat dangerous situations and for the benefit of the people. But with regard to the two Russian helicopters ordered by the Medamulana Rajapakses , they are to be used against the very own people of the country , specially to shoot down the people , to use tear gas and colored gas on the people to create panic .

The Medamulana clandestine , crafty and cruel activities as usual was a top secret kept hidden even from the IGP and the police force until criminal defense secretary Gotabaya revealed this day before yesterday (24). None of them knew about it until then. 

When orders are placed for supplies to the police , the IGP and the administrative DIGs should compulsorily be aware , but in this case the order was made secretly without anybody’s knowledge. Moreover , the pilots for these attacker helicopters have already begun training and interviews to select the trainees are over . They have been selected from the Ruhunu University and via other means. The police were totally in the dark about all these developments. These attacker helicopters are to be in operation from June 2014.

At the emergency meeting of the chiefs of security summoned by the SL’s criminal defense secretary Gotabaya , the latter had asked from the IGP , what is the rank that can be allocated to the pilots who are undergoing helicopter training presently ? The IGP who was shocked by the question had however explained that those who have special training in other fields , say , a Doctor is appointed to the rank of an ASP. Eccentric Gota who can never think sanely or soberly had flown into a rage and yelled out, “No, no , these are my ‘men’ . They should be given SSP ranks.”

These two helicopters have also been the cause to send the Navy Commander Gunatileke on retirement immediately.

Gunatileke had stated these helicopters if imported must be under the purview of the Air Force , and the pilots should be of the Air force. The Rajapakses who did n’t like this suggestion had packed off the Air force Commander on retirement prematurely , even before his retirement age.

It is a miracle as well as a rude surprise that the dictatorial Rajapakses have artificial hearts at least to grant facilities to the people to carry their coffins as depicted in these two photographs despite these dictators taking heartless measures wasting colossal sums of public money to tear gas and shoot down its own people from above when they are staging protests demanding their justifiable rights .

Writing The Truth Is Being Partial According To Sri Lanka And Its Friends!

By Paul Newman -March 27, 2014 |

Dr. Paul Newman

As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navi Pillay, a former International Jurist of eminence presented the Introduction of the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka (A/HRC/25/23), Sri Lanka once again was up in arms calling the report as biased, partial, unwarranted and rejected it.

In her address the High Commissioner stated, “The progress in reconstruction and resettlement of internally displaced persons, elections to the Northern Provincial Council, and in implementing some LLRC recommendations, such as giving effect to the trilingual policy.

We regret to report that there has been little progress in other critical areas identified by the Council in resolution 22/1 and by the LLRC, notably the need to ensure independent and credible investigations into past violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Almost five years since the end of the conflict, it is important for the Human Rights Council to recall the magnitude and gravity of the violations alleged to have been committed at that time by the Government and the LTTE, which left thousands of civilians killed, injured or missing. Failure to address the grief and trauma among victims and survivors undermines confidence in the State and reconciliation.

In recent years, the Government has established various mechanisms with the task to investigate past violations. But none have had the independence to be effective or inspire confidence among victims and witnesses”.

The High Commissioner also pointed out that as there were new witnesses emerging and stating that they were prepared to testify against an International mechanism, they should be given a fair chance. It is here one need to impartially analyze that even a sacked Chief Justice of Sri Lanka was not given a fair chance to defend herself. In such a situation how can an ordinary victim belonging to oppressed community expect justice in the domestic process? We also need to remember the scores of Sinhala brethren who disappeared in the 1980s and families do not know the whereabouts of their graves.                                             Read More

Facing a War Crimes Inquiry, Sri Lanka Continues to Vex the U.N.

Facing a War Crimes Inquiry, Sri Lanka Continues to Vex the U.N.

Tamil Dr. Vartharaja speaking of civilian causalties
at the last phase of war at HRC 25 (© Deshapriya S.)

 Thursday 27 March 2014

SOMINI SENGUPTAMARCH

UNITED NATIONS — What to do with Sri Lanka? The island nation, triumphant after nearly three decades of war against ethnic separatists, has vexed the United Nations.

Facing a War Crimes Inquiry, Sri Lanka Continues to Vex the U.N. by nelvely

UN takes step towards Sri Lanka war crimes inquiry

Human Rights Council adopts resolution saying inquiry is needed because Sri Lanka has not investigated properly

The Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, rejected the UN resolution and said it hurt reconciliation efforts. Photograph: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images

Jason Burke in Delhi and agencies

Thursday 27 March 2014

The United Nations has taken its first concrete step towards launching an inquiry into war crimes allegedly committed by both Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil separatist rebels during the island nation's 25-year brutal civil war.

By a vote of 23 states in favour, 12 against and 12 abstentions, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution presented by the United States on behalf of countries including Britain, which said that an inquiry was necessary because the government had failed to investigate properly.

UN Takes Step Towards Sri Lanka War Crimes Inquiry by nelvely

UN Human Rights Council Vote on Sri Lanka Reconciliation

Press Statement

John Kerry
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

March 27, 2014

Today’s vote in the UN Human Rights Council sends a clear message: The time to pursue lasting peace and prosperity is now; justice and accountability cannot wait.

This resolution reaffirms the commitment of the international community to support the Government of Sri Lanka as it pursues reconciliation and respect for human rights and democratic governance. That’s why the resolution requests that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights continues monitoring the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. That’s why it calls on the Office to conduct an investigation into allegations of serious human rights abuses and related crimes during Sri Lanka’s civil war. And that’s why the United States will continue speak out in defense of the fundamental freedoms that all Sri Lankans should enjoy.

We are deeply concerned by recent actions against some of Sri Lanka’s citizens, including detentions and harassment of civil society activists. Further reprisals against these brave defenders of human rights and the dignity of all Sri Lankan citizens would elicit grave concern from the international community.

The Sri Lankan people are resilient. They have demonstrated grit and determination through years of war. Now, they are demanding democracy and prosperity in years of peace. They deserve that chance.

The United States stands with all the people of Sri Lanka. We are committed to helping them realize a future in which all Sri Lankans can share in their country’s success.