The Canadian Tamil Congress has welcomed the international investigative mechanism mandated by the UN Human Rights Council earlier today, stating that it “represents a significant step forward in achieving accountability and justice on the island of Sri Lanka”.
In a statement released after the Council voted in favour of a resolution, the CTC said,
“This broad fact finding mandate given to the High Commissioner represents a significant step forward in achieving accountability and justice on the island of Sri Lanka. Council’s provision to the High Commissioner of the ability to establish ‘facts’ is part of a continuum that commenced with the 2011 Panel of Experts Report. Empowering the High Commissioner’s office with such broad powers will ensure the emergence of truth and send a strong message to Sri Lanka that the international community has lost confidence in its purported domestic reconciliation and accountability processes."
"The resolution mandates an investigation into serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes, which include war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide."
Commenting on the resolution, stated Gary Anandasangaree, Legal Counsel to the Canadian Tamil Congress, added,
“The International community has finally taken a meaningful step towards seeking the truth, and bringing justice to the victims of the brutal war in Sri Lanka. This process should serve as a deterrent to those states that flagrantly violate international human rights and humanitarian law”
“This resolution is not going to bring back over 70,000 lives lost in the war, however, it may give families some solace that those responsible for the deaths of their loved ones may finally be brought to justice”.
See the full statement here.
Find full coverage of the UNHRC vote and reactions to the resolution mandating the OHCHR to undertake an inquiry here.
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