US urges Sri Lanka to cooperate with UN to address 'painful issues' of truth and justice for alleged war crimes
The US Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking during his 3 day visit to Sri Lanka, urged the new regime to work with the United Nations to find the truth, “no matter how painful that truth may be,” and stressed the importance of justice and accountability for the “painful issues” of alleged war crimes.
The US Secretary, received criticism from commentators for not planning a visit to the majority Tamil North-East of the island.
Speaking on the US official's trip to Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch South Asia Advocacy director, John Sifton, said that the omission of the North showed "that the US no longer really cares about the massive rights abuses that occurred there and the rights issues which are still relevant today."
Speaking in Colombo on Saturday, Mr Kerry offered assistance in the field of justice and accountability, stating,
“Every citizen has a right to seek justice, and every citizen has a right to expect justice for victims of war crimes or crimes against humanity. They’re painful issues; I know that. But if you try to compel people to simply forget the past and try to wipe it away, believe me: They will be more likely, not less, to cling to it. And if you tell them to forego justice under the law, they will be more likely to seek it outside of the law. It will be harder, not easier, to move forward as one country at peace.”
Commenting on political detainees, the US Secretary of State, added,
“We also continue to urge your government to release remaining political prisoners, and we would be pleased to assist in those efforts by sending a team of legal experts to advise on assessment and release, which is a critical component of the documents that have to be made in that.”
Speaking on the United States’ desire to promote the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor to connect South Asia to Southeast Asia, Mr Kerry added,
“We look forward to working with the Sri Lankan Government as it increases trade and investment with its neighbours in the Indian Ocean and beyond.”
Mr Kerry also announced that the two countries had agreed to establish an annual partnership dialogue, adding that a team of US officials form the US Departments of Treasury and Commerce would travel to Sri Lanka to help foster “greater investment and growth” in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera, speaking after meeting Mr Kerry, expressed his government’s intention to make the island an “investor’s paradise,” and added that “ensuring accountability in the new Sri Lanka will feature as a key component of the reconciliation process.”
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| Photographs: US Department of State |
The US Secretary, received criticism from commentators for not planning a visit to the majority Tamil North-East of the island.
Speaking on the US official's trip to Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch South Asia Advocacy director, John Sifton, said that the omission of the North showed "that the US no longer really cares about the massive rights abuses that occurred there and the rights issues which are still relevant today."
Speaking in Colombo on Saturday, Mr Kerry offered assistance in the field of justice and accountability, stating,
“Every citizen has a right to seek justice, and every citizen has a right to expect justice for victims of war crimes or crimes against humanity. They’re painful issues; I know that. But if you try to compel people to simply forget the past and try to wipe it away, believe me: They will be more likely, not less, to cling to it. And if you tell them to forego justice under the law, they will be more likely to seek it outside of the law. It will be harder, not easier, to move forward as one country at peace.”
Commenting on political detainees, the US Secretary of State, added,
“We also continue to urge your government to release remaining political prisoners, and we would be pleased to assist in those efforts by sending a team of legal experts to advise on assessment and release, which is a critical component of the documents that have to be made in that.”
Speaking on the United States’ desire to promote the Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor to connect South Asia to Southeast Asia, Mr Kerry added,
“We look forward to working with the Sri Lankan Government as it increases trade and investment with its neighbours in the Indian Ocean and beyond.”
Mr Kerry also announced that the two countries had agreed to establish an annual partnership dialogue, adding that a team of US officials form the US Departments of Treasury and Commerce would travel to Sri Lanka to help foster “greater investment and growth” in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Mangala Samaraweera, speaking after meeting Mr Kerry, expressed his government’s intention to make the island an “investor’s paradise,” and added that “ensuring accountability in the new Sri Lanka will feature as a key component of the reconciliation process.”
