On Tamil Genocide remembrance day (18th of May 2022), the International Truth and Justice Project issued a press release expressing solidarity with the Tamil people campaigning for justice.
In the statement, Ms Yasmin Sooka, executive director of the ITJP and a member of the UN panel of experts that investigated allegations of war crimes expressed her support “On this sombre anniversary we stand in solidarity with Tamils who remember the end of the war in 2009 in which tens of thousands of people were killed,” adding “Sri Lanka is at a critical point in its history, decades of impunity for serious international crimes has led to impunity for corruption and economic crimes, and this is responsible for the desperate situation that Sri Lanka now finds itself in. What is needed is justice and accountability, which Sri Lanka has consistently demonstrated it is unwilling to deliver. The international community must assist and support the citizens of Sri Lanka to initiate criminal investigations into mass atrocity crimes and economic crimes and corruption, enable universal jurisdiction cases and impose sanctions,”.
The press release made reference to a recent publication in which they draw attention to current Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s involvement in the mass disappearances during his time as military commander in the Matale district in 1989. The statement made reference to the infamous white van abductions and the torture of victims.
On Sri Lankan leadership Ms Sooka had the following to say: “The kindest thing one can say about the politicians at the helm of the country is that they have repeatedly failed to deliver accountability for mass atrocities, including enforced disappearance. In several cases the politicians – including notably the President - are alleged to be complicit in gross violations of human rights,” she continues, “It’s a zero sum game with political elites protecting their own elite interests at the expense of the Sri Lankan citizens including the next generation.”
In closing, they urge "the international community to deny access to and refuge to any Sri Lankan politician and to return them to Sri Lanka as well as to ensure that their ill-gotten gains are repatriated. Victims and their families deserve nothing less.”
For more information, read on here.
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