Human rights activists across India have called on the Central government to support an international investigation into genocide in Sri Lanka, urging it not to “hide” behind strategic interests.
According the New Indian Express, V Suresh, national general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) said,
“This is not only an issue of the Tamils’ but a serious human rights violation and with the help of human rights organisations in over 25 States, we will spread awareness so that the whole nation rises against the atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan government.”
“The Sri Lankan government should not be allowed more time for reconciliation initiatives and the investigation should be started immediately. The more the delay, the more the loss and manipulation of evidence.”
PUCL State president G Saraswathi also added,
“The resolution sponsored by the US and UK does not even mention the word ‘genocide’ and is very mild. Hence, India should take the onus of bringing justice to the Eelam Tamils.”
It comes as Union Shipping Minister G. K. Vasan met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday, calling on India to support a resolution on Sri Lanka. Vasan told reporters,
"Regarding human rights violations of Sri Lanka, the US has brought a resolution and I have requested that, earlier on two occasions, we have supported the resolution against the Sri Lankan government and we should continue this time also."