UN Received Information from Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam on Sri Lanka War Crimes

by PRWeb, December 24, 2010

Victims' families gave information on final moments of White Flag Surrendees, Executions, Genocide, and Destruction of War Graves.

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) sent a memorandum to the United Nations advisory panel on investigating War Crimes in Sri Lanka. It detailed grave abuses committed by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil ethnic group. This UN panel - Secretary General's Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka - was formed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, after approximately 60,000 Tamils were killed by Sri Lanka Security Forces during the final months of the war that ended in May 2009.

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) is a democratically elected body of the Tamil diaspora. The TGTE held elections in 12 countries, adopted a Constitution, and formed a government consisting of a Prime Minister, Speaker and a 10 member Cabinet. The Ministry for investigation of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity compiled the memo, after collecting information from victims and family members who lost their loved ones.

TGTE received several testimonies from family members of those killed, including those who were killed while surrendering and crossing into the Sri Lankan government held territory with white flags. The testimony from the son of a white flag victim Mr. Nadesan, was also included in TGTE's submission to the UN. Mr. Nadesan was the head of the political wing of the LTTE and his son's testimony gave inside information on the final moments of the surrender. Another testimony is from the wife of Col Ramesh. Col Ramesh was recently shown on TV being interrogated by Sri Lankan soldiers in an undisclosed location. The Sri Lanka government earlier announced that Col Ramesh was killed in battle.

TGTE submission also gives detail of the desecration and destruction war cemeteries, where LTTE members were buried. The destruction and desecration of war cemeteries violates International Humanitarian laws and TGTE urges the UN panel to look into this violation as well. The memo also included statements from family members whose loved ones were buried in those cemeteries.

The TGTE memorandum to the UN panel also presents information that shows that abuses committed by the Sri Lankan government constitute acts of genocide. The TGTE also urged the UN panel to understand the abuses in the final months of the war in the context of the political history in the island of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan army is made up of 99% Sinhalese and the victims are from the Tamil ethnicity. "What happened in Vanni was the continuation of the structural genocide which the Tamil nation has been subjected to for the past 30 years" said the memo.

To find the TGTE memo sent to the UN, go to: 
http://www.tgte-us.org/Letters/Finalsubmision.html

Contact Deluxon Morris (UK): Tel: +(44) 7940020758 or Email: warcrime(at)tgte(dot)org 
http://www.tgte-us.org

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Testimony of Nadesan’s son submitted by the TGTE to the UN Panel of Experts

from Tamil Daily News, December 24, 2010

Here are extracts from Prabath Suresh Balasingham’s testimony on his father’s execution:

Q: When did you speak to your father last?

A: 18th May 2009 at around 2am UK time ( 45 mins before he surrendered). I spoke to my dad and rest of the family.

Q: What did he say?

A: Dad said he had spoken to diplomats and they advised him to go with a white flag and surrender to the Sri Lankan Army, but he said he didn’t believe him or anyone with him will be safe. He also said that there are more than 1000 wounded cadres and families with him because of them he had to go and surrender. He also said he couldn’t contact Pirabaharan (LTTE leader) for any instructions. He said Mum and the rest of the family were with him along with Pulithevan. He said “If I don’t get back to you within half an hour, please assume that we are not safe.”

Q: What do you think happened?

A: Sri Lankan Army executed him

Q: Why do you think so?

A: Because he was unarmed and the people with him were political wounded cadres and families. I have had information from people who have seen my dad and mum and Pulithevan and others being taken by the army. If needed I can give the details of those people, provided that the UN Panel gives them a witness protection scheme as they are still living in Sri Lanka.

In the last days, his main concern was the safety of the others and he was always thinking and acting in the best interest of the people around him. Because he was the one in charge of the wounded and the political persons and everyone wanted to get medical care for the wounded.

Q: What do you want from the UN?

A: Independent enquiry into my family’s death and to bring the perpetrators to justice

Q: Can the UN contact you

A: Yes

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Other submissions to the UN Panel of Experts

TfO: Useful Video Evidence of Sri Lankan War Crime

NCCT: Towards Global Justice: Accountability
for War Crimes in Sri Lanka