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Sri Lanka’s Disturbing Actions Met by ‘Deafening Global Silence’by The Elders, August 3, 2010
The Sri Lankan government’s clampdown on domestic critics and its disdain for human rights deserves a far tougher response according to The Elders. While welcoming the end of the decades-long civil war, the Elders say that meaningful progress on reconciliation in Sri Lanka is still desperately needed. They describe the international response to Sri Lanka’s worrying approach to human rights, good governance and accountability as a ‘deafening global silence’ that may encourage other states to act in a similar way. The Elders have been following events in Sri Lanka closely since the last months of the civil war between government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009. They have contacted the government of Sri Lanka and officials around the world to express their concerns about alleged violations of international humanitarian law and the need for actions that promote sustainable peace and reconciliation in the country. The Elders have noted some positive change since the end of the war, including greater economic activity in the north, and the return of some 260,000 displaced people to their home districts. However, these signs of progress are tainted by intolerance of debate or dissent and a culture of impunity that protects those close to the government. The Elders now believe that the Sri Lankan government’s domestic conduct, as well as its recent unacceptable treatment of the United Nations in Sri Lanka warrants a firm, public response from its most influential friends – particularly China, India, Japan and the United States as well as the non-aligned group of countries. Only the European Union has taken any direct action by suspending Sri Lanka’s preferential trading access (GSP Plus scheme) for its failure to respect its international human rights obligations. Among recent events that most concern the Elders are:
About The Elders The Elders are an independent group of global leaders, brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007, who offer their collective influence and experience to support peace- building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. The Elders are Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan, Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Brundtland, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu (Chair). Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi are honorary Elders. More information at www.theElders.org. See also: 'Sri Lanka one year on from war', Desmond Tutu and Lakdra Brahimi, The Guardian, May 2010 MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Cronin ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 3, 2010, 2:46 pm Desmond Tutu Rebukes Sri Lanka By Robert Mackey, The Lede, The New York Times blog, August 3, 2010 A video introduction to the group known as The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela. The Elders, a council of retired global leaders led by Desmond Tutu, issued a statement on Tuesday rebuking the government of Sri Lanka for its “clampdown on domestic critics and its disdain for human rights.” In an e-mail sent to reporters, Mr. Tutu said, “The ongoing persecution and disappearances of human rights activists, journalists and government opponents is truly terrifying.” Mr. Tutu, the former head of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, also said that Sri Lanka had “done little to reveal the truth behind human rights abuses,” during the civil war that ended last year. He added, “It is doubtful that the President’s ‘Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission’ will help Sri Lankans to work towards lasting peace and reconciliation.” When Mr. Tutu, the former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, announced last month that he would begin reducing his public appearances soon, he pledged to continue his work with The Elders. The Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela and also includes former President Jimmy Carter and a number of retired United Nations officials. In a statement posted on its Web site, the group called on international governments to end their “deafening silence” in response to a list of recent actions by Sri Lanka, including: •The persecution, intimidation, assassination and disappearance of government critics, political opponents, journalists and human rights defenders. •Ongoing detention of an estimated 8,000 suspected ex-combatants without charge or access to legal representation, their families or independent monitors. •The government’s failure to withdraw wartime emergency laws more than a year after the end of the conflict with the L.T.T.E. [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam]. •Lack of action by the government to address the political marginalization of ethnic minorities that was at the root of Sri Lanka’s 30 years of war. •Unacceptable behavior towards the United Nations — including a siege by demonstrators of U.N. offices in Colombo, led by a cabinet minister — following the U.N. secretary-general’s appointment of a panel of experts to advise him on accountability issues relating to alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by both sides during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka. In response, Rajiva Wijesinha, a member of parliament with Sri Lanka’s governing coalition, told the BBC that the group was “simplifying and preaching.” He also insisted that despite the murder or exile of independent journalists, and the arrest of the second-place finisher in this year’s presidential election, Sri Lankans are free to express dissent in the news media or in Parliament. |
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