19 March, 2024

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US Confirms OHCHR Inquiry On Sri Lanka

The US Government has just confirmed that the draft resolution on Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva calls on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate violations and abuses of human rights.
US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Sarah Sewall said the US resolution had called on the OHCHR to investigate past abuses and ongoing violations.
Barack Obama
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  • 28
    8

    Mr. President, Thank for this. Inquiry is alright but what about the two US citizen criminals? Would you punish them according to the US law? Take their civic right away and then their stolen wealth from the public/country must be frozen. That would be the best punishment for these uneducated uncultured rascals.

    • 19
      5

      Senerath,

      If the inquiry were to establish that GR and SF are individually or severally responsible in respect of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the US must take actions. All this can be avoided with minimal blemish proviso GOSL abide by UN protocol by engaging sincerely. The Tamils want their rights and the country needs to restore democracy. The UN actions will certainly go a long way rectify this situation. But I do not think that MR gang will heed to anything; they are extremely egotistical and downright stupid! I do not know what lies ahead.

      • 8
        10

        Remember General Norman Schwarzkopf? Gulf War One?

        Schwarzkopf was responsible for killing thousands of Iraqi troops while they were pulling back into Iraq from Kuwait. After their quick humiliating defeat in Kuwiat.

        Schwarzkopf and US Defence establishment bombed and killed thousands along what became known as the Highway of Death. Inside Iraq. A War Crime.

        Schwarzkopf was knighted by Commonwealth Head Queen Elizabeth as an honour for winning Iraq War One so quickly.

        There was never any investigation on Schwarzkopf by either UK or USA for war crimes.

        You guys are so upset General Fonseka kicked LTTE’s behind so bad. That they could not survive to fight another day.

        Cheers!

        • 6
          7

          You are making an apples-to-oranges comparison, because you are comparing the killing of Iraqi soldiers by the US with the killing of CIVILIANS (men , women and children) by the GOSL , civilains who were confined to No Fire Zones.

          Also the numbers on Iraqi soldiers killed in the scenario you mention is a fraction of the number of CIVILIANS killed by GOSL in the No Fire Zones.

          • 4
            3

            See how pansi laka gets worked up when you mention hymie atrocities?

        • 3
          3

          More of the same from you, the ‘but he did it too’ argument. Though in this case your analogy doesn’t even work because we are talking of soldiers vs. civilians.

        • 6
          1

          Ben Hurling

          “Schwarzkopf and US Defence establishment bombed and killed thousands along what became known as the Highway of Death. Inside Iraq.”

          It was only a turkey shoot.

          “There was never any investigation on Schwarzkopf by either UK or USA for war crimes.”

          Justice for your own people should not depend on the behaviour of other country.

          If Sri Lankans genuinely believe in justice take USA, UK and Sri Lankan to task.

        • 2
          0

          You are referring to the ‘turkey shoot’ as described then on the Mutla Pass. Originally the Americans reported ecstically that upto 200000 troops/civilians had been killed, and thousands of armour and other vehicles were destroyed. The world’s response was NOT one of approval and quickly the numbers were whittled down to around 20,000 though the figures are likely to be far higher. It is reported that some US airmen refused orders to carry out further bombings.

      • 1
        5

        I think if US/EU make real threat of freezing Rajapakse family and prominent allies foreign assets, MR/Basil egos and assumed patriotism would go down to drain and they might do a lot to retain their wealth..

        • 4
          3

          Don’t be silly aney,they may be stupid but not that stupid to put their assets in the west. I’m sure they are safely deposited in exim where the so called do gooders can’t touch!

    • 13
      3

      I dont think SF is UScitizen, but surely GR is one.
      However, I wonder why the US failed to address the issue long back, alone considering GOTA US citizen. Why did not they even avoid questioning them given the fact that they are all alleged war criminals ?

      • 3
        5

        if found that it was a great mistake US to stay silent with GR.

        It should be a punishable act.

      • 3
        3

        You may be correct. Fonseka was a Green Card holder as his wife held a Green Card since 2002, but as he failed to renew it recently he may have lost it. The TWO US citizens are Gota and Basil. What about Dallas? Gota MAY be charge under US laws as a citizen for murder, corruption and many other crimes as and when US is redy to take him back.

        • 2
          0

          I will write to the US Embassy soon and get more about this.
          How is the possiblity them to be away from US laws. As you and the many are .. me too I am very curious the manner the US stay mum in this regard. Even very recently, they themselves introduced our excutioner -GOTA as us citizen. How is this possible to some like Gota to allow very many rights that the average would see only in their dreams.

          From what I know, even today, there are masses in the country that still believe it was Gotabaya who saved the nation.
          Nothing is heard about that man who narrowly escaped his life being dead injured 3-4 times – latter was explained by Sobhitha thero once, then only I felt how cruel the world shold be for such a man to be branded as a traitor by Rajapakshe oligarchy.

      • 3
        3

        I am well aware, that we the European passport holders back in home country are compelled to behave according to european regulations, not going against anything laws in the visiting country. If anything would be the case, european laws will work on us.

        So, the cases should be the same with US citizens but living out of us. US laws as I am aware are mostly equal to all of their citizens.

  • 7
    14

    past abuse and ongoing violence,, yes it must be investigated. but not the final phase of war. because its a war against terrorists.

    • 15
      8

      The final phase of the war is the most blatant and egregrious of human rights violations in any period of Sri Lanka’s post independence history. Ofcourse you want to ignore that because the Army is the culprit.

      • 5
        5

        Palmsquirrell

        Idiot , why only last phase of the war, if a HR violation in during the war or last phase of the war it doesn’t matter still its a HR violation, why you guys try to point the finger at last phase, because you want to cover up LTTE crimes or sad about the death of FAT pig at last phase of the war

        • 5
          2

          Where did I say only the last phase should be investigated? You should quit making strawman arguments because it reveals your bias.

          I was responding to the poster above me who said the last phase should be ignored. I stated that it should not be ignored, and nowhere did I say the last phase should be the only phase of the war that should be investigated.

    • 3
      3

      .
      Final Phase is the critical one…..

      Innocent people were pushed into a corner…on one side LTTE were not allowing the people to get out…from the other side, Army was shelling and bombing indiscriminately.
      Army has to kill almost 10 civilians to kill a tiger.

      :-)

      • 3
        1

        “Army has to kill almost 10 civilians to kill a tiger”
        Oh…how very creative! keep up the good work.

    • 3
      3

      This country is ruled by a set of terrorists, who think that Sri Lanka is their backyard and they can do anything to anyone in this country and no one should question them. As such they are TERRORISTS!!!

  • 2
    2

    In hindsight, in the fight with the LTTE, did the GOSL fall into a political trap setup by others ?

    • 5
      2

      What trap? GOSL choose to deliberately target No Fire Zones that were crammed with civilians. They even got the coordinated from the Red Cross who had no idea GOSL would use the coordinates to deliberately adjust their artillery to target the No Fire Zone.

      No body forced GOSL to deliberately slaughter tens of thousands of Tamils, so GOSL has no excuses.

      • 0
        4

        Don’t be silly aney,they may be stupid but not that stupid to put their assets in the west. I’m sure they are safely deposited in exim where the so called do gooders can’t touch!

  • 19
    3

    You poor Obama, I can understand your need to show some Yankee jingoism amidst all the humiliation you are currently facing …. especially in Syria and Ukraine.

    The so called new world order is getting more and more ridiculous. The international community ignores a multitude of major calamities unfolding right at this moment all over the world involving massive human rights violations and mass killings and instead decides to investigate who farts in Sri Lanka. It is the US that stinks the whole world with its back door activities.

    • 4
      17

      Why don’t you take over Obama’s place then Mr Nob-rider? Easy to speak behind a pC screen. You are only worth being a douche in my toilet, you be real useful to scrape the crap.

      • 13
        2

        Peeveeran, one of the Jaffna Cake Boys, was ambushed and denutted in Croydon by an elite Trident commando unit while trying to ease himself in Tamil Nadu style.

        • 2
          13

          Really Kutti[Edited out]? When did you see that happen? You come to London road I’l [Edited out]

    • 2
      6

      What other theater of conflict in recent years has seen the deliberate slaughter of over 40,000 civilians within a confined space? Sri Lanka is unique in the amount of civilians slaughtered in a short time and confined arena.

  • 5
    5

    TGTE has released a booklet ( http://www.tgte-us.org/pressrelease/TGTE_HRC_BOOKLET_2014.pdf ) its brief:

    This booklet starts with the brief description of events leading up to the final stage of the war the reports produced by Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG). The booklet highlights observations of credible evidence of war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The UNSG’s Panel of Experts’ observations on the absence of a political and judicial environment domestically to dispense justice for Tamils are also highlighted. The booklet further compares the UN’s response to the Central African Republic versus the response to Sri Lanka.

    The booklet discusses the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) and the National Action Human Rights Plan at length, and points out that the LLRC, in fact, provides an escape mechanism from serious charges mentioned in the UNSG Experts’ Report, which cited the criticisms of State actors as well as non-State actors. The piece juxtaposes the Government of Sri Lanka’s (GOSL) National Action Human Rights Plan against the reality and concludes that it is a “tragi-comedy.”

    The booklet chronicles the events prior, during, and after the visit of UN High Commissioner of Human Rights Navanethem Pillay in 2013, giving the highlights of Pillay’s press conference namely, protests against her visit by Government Ministers, innuendos about her heritage, military presence in the Northern region, sexual abuse, and compulsory acquiring of private lands by the armed forces. Pillay’s observations of the Government’s failure to demonstrate a credible national process with tangible results, so that the international community has a duty to establish its own inquiry mechanism, are highlighted. The TGTE’s request to meet those surrendered to the Security Forces; to station UN Human Rights monitors in Tamil areas; the plight of 90,000 Tamil war widows and their daughters; to send international trial observers; to check for chemical weapons use and mass graves; and to secure the release of Tamil Nadu fishermen imprisoned in Sri Lanka are noted.

    The booklet notes the Sinhala Militarization of Tamil areas and how the Northern Provincial Council Chief Minister’s request to reduce the military presence has been ignored. The booklet emphasizes that the human rights violations are primarily Tamil ethnic-based. It talks about the forced sterilization of Tamil women. The booklet argues that, based on the UNSG Panel of Experts’ Report and the emerging genocide jurisprudence, that an investigation of Genocide is necessary. The booklet also points out the targeting of Muslims and Christians and then highlights the number of rejections of recommendations made by countries in the context of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Sri Lanka’s rejections are the highest number of rejections in the history of the UPR.

    The booklet spends a considerable length of time pointing out the inability and/or unwillingness of the GOSL to dispense justice for Tamils domestically. It identifies the historical evidence, lack of political and judicial environment, legal, political, and ideological considerations, triumphalism, continuing exodus of Tamils from Sri Lanka, and the demonization of the Diaspora as impediments to justice. It also argues, given the GOSL’s position that it did not do any wrong coupled with the absence of a formal transfer of power like in South Africa, that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is not a substitute for an independent International Investigation. There is the need for an international investigation and calls for such an investigation by various actors, notably the Northern Provincial Council. The Tamil Nadu State Legislature, the Student Movement, civil society, intellectuals and political parties from India have all called for an international investigation. Finally, it talks about what is expected from the UNHRC at its 25th Session and what will be the consequence if the UNHRC does not establish an International investigation mechanism. There will be adverse effects on recovery from war, the danger that the “Sri Lankan Solution” becomes a model for other ethnic conflicts, the weakening of International Law, and the threat to peace and security in South Asia.

    • 9
      3

      TGTE = THANK GOD TIGERS ELIMINATED

      The diaspora Tamils can now exercise their right to free speech because the LTTE was eliminated in Sri Lanka by the Great Liberator of Tamils MR.

      TGTE = TRANS-RATIONAL GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL EVIL

  • 5
    3

    Well done Mr. President, you are taking the stupid tamils for a ride of their life. According to UNHRC charter it or the high commissioner doesn’t have any power what so ever to do to any kind of investigation on a sovereign country. You are a really funny guy Mr. President.

    • 3
      6

      Oh look Sadith the Good Shepherd telling Obama is taking Tamils for a ride. What about ongoing issue on Jarapaksa taking the Dumb Sinhala Mass for a Lumala bicycle ride. People like Sadith take pride in licking Jarapassa[Edited out]. You idiotic Sinhala race is a waste of space on this planet.

      • 2
        2

        You unintelligent, ignorant,foolish,idiotic tamils wiped Obama’s ass hoping he will pave the way for a “International Investigation”
        Ha.. Ha..Ha.. Did he gave what he promised !!!!! Isn’t this a gand Lumala bicycle ride for all you morons.

        This tamil race is a insult for all human kind, what a shame

        • 2
          4

          After all the sinhala race evolved through beastality. How do you expect any decency from the dumb Sinhalese. What was written on Mahawamsa? The great Sinhala race began after a donkey mated with a human? Or was it a pig? Hmm :/

  • 4
    1

    Good luck and congrats to all the eelam tamils and the CT website coordinators and Their efforts have borne fruit EELAM is very near .,

    LMAO

    • 4
      2

      Abhaya

      “LMAO”

      How do you do it? Is it anatomically possible?

      Strange people?

      • 3
        7

        It was a big joke for all of us when Abhaya was given birth by a donkey. Apparently he’s laughing his pain away for being a joke to the society.

      • 0
        1

        NV@,

        they the abnormal men in govt can do whatever they think is right. Might has become right. So Gota has proved it many a times

        Laughing My Ass Off (LMAO) is nothing to Abhaya as one of their obsequious men.

        • 1
          1

          Besides, as CT readers are well aware, Abhaya is still hallozinated from his last tour he said made to SL after 8 years. For all of these men, MR is a wonder maker. Actually we should feel like
          LMAO looking at these buggers.

      • 0
        1

        ROTFLMAO

  • 4
    1

    This guy is full of noise. 2014-according to Obama-is an year of action? really?

  • 2
    0

    POL LENA – so you have reached a conclusion without an inquiry ?!!

    Did you have to live in the war condition created by the LTTE animals ? Did you ever go to work or send you children to school never knowing if you or they would ever come back again ?

    Those buggers and the civilians who supported them got the only treatment that could be given to them under the circumstances.

    The only pity is that the DIE_ARSE_PORA cannot be given some of the same !

  • 4
    1

    If US sponsored resolution warrents an inquiery in to Human rights abuses and war crimes in Sri Lanka, then US Citizens and US PR holder (Fonseka, Sarath)may be complicit. Hence US Citizens and PR holders has committed alleged war crimes.Therefore USA must be held accountable for these. USA must be ordered to pay Billions in compansation, as it was USa that gave intelligence support.

    International community will place embargo against USA.

    • 1
      1

      That is stupidist post I have read. US is not accountable because neither GOta,Basil or Fonseka were acting on behalf of the US.

      Anwar Al Awlaki was a Yemeni American that the US killed with a drone strike because Awlaki was part of Al Quaeda and was holed up in Yemen. Now according to your logic, the US is guilty of aiding Al Qaeda because Awlaki was an American.

  • 3
    2

    Mr. Obama, I just have one word to say to you: Benghazi…..

    • 1
      1

      Why do you Sinhala Nationalists masquerade with names that are not Sinhalese, do you think you are fooling anyone ?

  • 4
    2

    So easy to fool Tamils.

    • 3
      1

      Is that why Tamils never gave up their mother tongue while Sinhalese gave up theirs for invaders who raped, enslaved and destroyed their ancestral identity.

  • 1
    0

    Well not to worry folk lets get some pons chas like K A Sumansekera (leela) ,ahbaya,Fathima ,Ella Kolla,Jim Softly et all to sit in front of the US Embassy to perform a fast unto death campaign and im sure the issue can be sorted out ;-)

  • 4
    1

    So after months of painful labouring, a tiny mice was given birth…but alas it’s a still birth.
    No genocide
    No war crimes
    No international inquiry
    No Sanctions
    Now it is pay time for Navi. Pay..Pay..pay..Pay.$..$..$..$$$

    Sh*T,what a waste of money and after licking all these suddha (and a blackie too)a*ses!!Knowing they don’t even wash them!! eee……..h

    • 4
      1

      All fart and no sh*t.

      It is the fault of Vigneswaran who REFUSED to include the word GENOCIDE in the NPC resolution.

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