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Sri Lanka stridently backtracking on commitment to foreign participation in accountability - TNPF

Welcoming the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ reiteration of the need for international participation in the accountability mechanisms, the leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam highlighted that Sri Lanka had “stridently been backtracking on this most fundamental matter for a credible accountability process,” whilst speaking at the oral update on Sri Lanka’s progress on resolution 30/1 at the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday.

Noting mixed messaging around the issue of international foreign judges, prosecutors investigators and lawyers, Mr Ponnambalam said,

“Despite whatever assurances are given by Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister to this council with regards to foreign participation, it should be clearly understood that he is being vehemently contradicted by none other than persons of far more political authority, namely the President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, who have repeatedly assured the Sinhalese people, who form their electoral vote bank, that they will never allow any foreign participation. The fact is strongly indicative of the lack of political will on this matter.”

Mr Ponnambalam urged the council to take steps to ensure the participation of foreign judges in the accountability mechanism, concluding,

“If there is one thing that consecutive Sri Lankan governments have been consistent about, it is the almost complete impunity with regards the crimes committed against the Tamil people. When the allegation that the Tamil people make is one of Genocide that has been committed against them, we strongly urge that member States take steps to ensure against any default on this most fundamental commitment regarding foreign participation.”

See full statement here.

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