"Initial hopes for accountability and justice are fading fast in the Tamil population," said Mr. Mario Arulthas, Advocacy Director for People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (P.E.A.R.L.) during an informal event at the 32nd Human Rights Council on Friday June 24th. The panel moderated by David Whaley (a former UN Resident Coordinator), also featured Ms. Nimalka Fernando (IMADR), Mr. Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon (Campaign for Free and Fair Elections, CaFFE), and Mr. Ruki Fernando (INFORM).
Ms. Nimalka Fernando noted that while we now have the Resolution which provides guiding principles, it doesn't actually match up with the daily realities facing victims.
The panelists addressed the Sri Lankan government's failure to build confidence and trust in victims in Sri Lanka, and meaningfully implement Resolution 30/1. For example, speaking specifically on the Office of Missing Persons, Mr. Ruki Fernando stated that confidence of families of the disappeared and their supporters had been undermined by the government's secrecy around the process.
"Why hasn't the Sri Lankan government taken the OISL report to the South? They need to start laying the groundwork for future prosecutions," stated Mr. Arulthas. "Renewed positive engagement of the international community and muting of criticism of the state in light of failures contributes to victims' disillusionment," he added.
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