<p>International lawyers from the Sri Lanka Monitoring and Accountability Panel called for an independent evidence gathering mechanism in the country, in an op-ed published in Justiceinfo.com </p>
<p>"Steps should include setting up an independent evidence-gathering mechanism related to atrocities for Sri Lanka with a similar mandate to those on Syria and Myanmar to investigate international crimes; and urging prosecutors in third states to pursue cases against Sri Lankan war criminals under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction," co-authors and lawyers Andrew Ianuzzi, Richard Rogers and Heather Ryan wrote. </p>
<p>"Rajapaksa’s reemergence threatens other critical aspects of Sri Lanka’s progress from conflict to a functional democracy. These include an opening space for freedom of expression and civil society activity, allowing greater press freedom, withdrawing the military from Tamil-majority areas in the north and the east, and controlling security service abuses."</p>
<p>"The probability of authoritarianism and abuse of power posed by Rajapaksa’s appointment should be a wake up call to the international community. Having failed to prevent mass atrocities when Rajapaksa was last in power, the international community must be prepared to take decisive action."</p>
<p>The Sri Lanka Monitoring and Accountability Panel was established by the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) in 2015 to monitor the implementation of UNHRC Resolutions 30/1 and 34/1, “Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>Read full op-ed <a href="https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/justiceinfo-comment-and-debate/opinion/3…">here</a>. </p>
<p>The op-ed echoes the Panel's statement last month. </p>
<p>Read more <a href="https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/sri-lanka-monitoring-and-accounta…">here</a>. <br>
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