“Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka and Ways Forward” by Centre for Policy Alternatives

With the end of the war in 2009, the need to address the widespread death, destruction, and displacement was overwhelming. Allegations against all sides of potential war crimes and crimes against humanity demands an independent investigation and the prosecution within a credible court of law of those responsible for international crimes committed during the final stages of the war and during its aftermath. The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has consistently called for such independent investigations and other accountability measures to address truth, justice, reparations and non-recurrence of violence in Sri Lanka. This appeal continues six years after the end of the war. In this report, CPA sets out a range of processes and mechanisms available to the Sri Lankan government to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations and alleged crimes committed during the war. While many stakeholders are identified in the report, the ultimate responsibility for truth and justice in Sri Lanka lies with its citizens; accordingly they must play the central role in the design and implementation of future processes and mechanisms. CPA hopes that the options provided in this report enrich the discussions and debates about the design and implementation of a credible domestic process with the long term goal of achieving truth and justice in Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka: Hope for Minorities?” by Neha Sinha

However, the key question remains: Does Sirisena have the political will and capability to actually resolve the fundamental problems that drove the country to almost three decades of civil war?

via: http://thediplomat.com/2015/02/sri-lanka-hope-for-minorities/

“Sri Lanka before UN Human Rights Committee this week” by Ruchi Parekh

This week, the UN Human Rights Committee will review Sri Lanka’s fifth periodic report on how it is implementing the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This post offers a preview of the issues likely to be raised by the committee at its session in Geneva.

via: http://justsecurity.org/16005/sri-lanka-human-rights-committee-week/

“Security Forces Involved In High Profile Human Rights Violations – Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission’s Unpublished Report” by Colombo Telegraph

“Colombo Telegraph has obtained an unpublished report commissioned by the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission in 2006 which had explicitly concluded that security forces personnel were involved in several high profile human rights violations including the killing of five students in Trincomalee in January 2006 and the abduction on 31 January 2006.”

via: https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/security-forces-involved-in-high-profile-human-rights-violations-sri-lanka-human-rights-commissions-unpublished-report/

to download the report: report-by-the-HRC-appointed-Special-Rapporteur

source: www.colombotelegraph.com

“Sri Lanka’s Climate of Fear” by The New York Times’ Editorial Board

Leaders attending the meeting must insist, at the very least, that the Sri Lankan government show meaningful progress in addressing human rights abuses, abiding by international standards and restoring constitutional protection for freedom of expression.

Via http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/14/opinion/sri-lankas-climate-of-fear.html?_r=1&

source: www.nytimes.com

“Sri Lanka’s unanswered questions over human rights” by Fergal Keane reports for BBC

23 October 2013 Last updated at 22:49 BST

“The BBC has spoken to people in Sri Lanka who say they have been threatened with rape and tortured at the hands of officials.

The group Human Rights Watch says rape and sexual violence are widely used against detainees, something the government denies.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister has said the country’s investigations into human rights violations have been adequate.

With less than a month to go until the Commonwealth conference in Sri Lanka, the government there has rejected calls for it to co-operate with an international inquiry into human rights violations.”

Click to watch the video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24648595

source: www.bbc.co.uk