Accountability for violations of international humanitarian law must go “hand in hand” with a political solution, said Freedom From Torture in response the UN human rights chiefs remarks on Sri Lanka, made earlier this week.
Ann Hannah, International Advocate and Researcher at Freedom from Torture, said that the UK-based charity welcomed the High Commissioner's statement.
“Our clients, torture survivors from Sri Lanka, have told us time and again, that that they will only have confidence in a justice process where their evidence can be heard by impartial judges, where the safety and security of witness and their families are secure and they are free from harassment and intimidation,” she said.
“This can only be achieved by the Sri Lankan government fulfilling the commitments it agreed last October at the Human Rights Council, including the participation of international judges in the process.”
“Torture survivors want to see a justice process that holds those responsible for their torture to account and moves their country forward towards long-term peace and stability,” she added. “Accountability and political settlement have to go hand in hand. Without justice survivors are left in limbo, torture continues and efforts at meaningful reconciliation are undermined.”