DMK leader M Karunanidhi called on the Indian government to back a fully international mechanism to investigate and prosecute for mass atrocities committed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict.
“A domestic investigation will not be impartial and a probe by the accused into the crimes will turn justice into a mockery,” said the DMK chief. “The Indian government should voice its support for an independent, credible and international investigation and introduce a resolution for it in the United Nations Human Rights Council”.
His comments come after India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it hoped for justice in Sri Lanka and remained hopeful that a resolution would pass with the consent of the Sri Lankan government at the UN Human Rights Council later this week.
“Supporting the US resolution will deny justice for war crimes, human rights violations and genocide of Tamils and the wound will remain unhealed in the hearts of Tamils,” added Mr Karunanidhi.
Protests took place across Tamil Nadu last week, supporting a fully international probe into the violations of international humanitarian law that took place. The Tamil Nadu state government also passed a resolution this month calling on the Indian central government to back an international investigation into the mass atrocities committed during the end of the armed conflict in Sri Lanka.