USTPAC along with other diaspora organizations Endorse Human Rights Council’s Call for Clear Timeline for Action on Sri Lanka’s Transitional Justice Commitments
Geneva March 26, 2018:
As the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) ends in Geneva, the US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC), British Tamils Forum (BTF), and Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) would like to thank Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore for emphasizing the importance of return of land for trust in the government’s good faith, the need for an end to impunity, the worrying attacks on ethnic communities, continued reports of torture of Tamils and surveillance, harassment of human rights defenders and the fact that the Office of Missing Persons is still not actually in operation in her presentation of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) written report (A/HRC/37/23) on progress on implementation of HRC Resolution 30/1.
We fully concur with the Commissioner’s assessment that, “it seems doubtful that the transitional justice agenda committed to by the Government under this Council’s resolution 30/1 could be fully implemented before our next report in March 2019.” We wholeheartedly support her ‘strong advice’ “that this Council continue to focus its attention on the human rights of the people of Sri Lanka and in particular on the processes in place for accountability and reconciliation.”
We strongly agree with the Commissioner’s concern related to the Government of Sri Lanka’s lack of progress on its own commitments on accountability. She said, “[T]he Authorities have yet to demonstrate the willingness or the capacity to address impunity for gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law…This strengthens the argument for the establishment of a specialized court to deal with serious crimes, supported by international practitioners.”>>
We fully concur with the Commissioner’s assessment that, “it seems doubtful that the transitional justice agenda committed to by the Government under this Council’s resolution 30/1 could be fully implemented before our next report in March 2019.” We wholeheartedly support her ‘strong advice’ “that this Council continue to focus its attention on the human rights of the people of Sri Lanka and in particular on the processes in place for accountability and reconciliation.”
We strongly agree with the Commissioner’s concern related to the Government of Sri Lanka’s lack of progress on its own commitments on accountability. She said, “[T]he Authorities have yet to demonstrate the willingness or the capacity to address impunity for gross violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law…This strengthens the argument for the establishment of a specialized court to deal with serious crimes, supported by international practitioners.”>>
Latest from USTPAC
- Tamil diaspora orgs call for strong action to end Anti-Muslim Attacks in Sri Lanka and address root causes »»
- Tamil Organizations Welcome the call for International action by Human Rights Commissioner »»
- Tamil Dispora orgs call for action on the eve of 70th Independence»»
- No Time to Spare: Tamil Community Calls for Concrete Action»»
- Progress Report on the Geneva Sessions »»
- USTPAC welcomes High Commissioner Zeid’s report on Sri Lanka »»
- USTPAC Calls for Autonomous NorthEast Region for Tamils within Sri Lanka »»
- Confidence building measures in Sri Lanka-Status as of June 2016 »»
- To listen the caucus briefing that took place on June 14 2016 »»
- [Sri Lanka] must create institutions that work,and ensure accountability – High Commissioner Zeid»»
- USTPAC joins in victims continuous and unequivocal calls for a strong international role in all transitional justice mechanisms. »»
- Mullivaikal Massacre – Tamil Americans Commemorate the sixth anniversary of the Mullivaikal Massacre.»»
- Worldwide Tamil bodies urge High commissioner Zeid for timely release of OISL report»»
- USTPAC welcomes UN Human Right chief Zeid’s statement calling Sri Lanka’s bluff»»
Achievements
Working with many organizations at UNHRC, and helped pass resolution calling for justice, equity, accountability
and reconciliation and assuring Sri Lanka stays on international agenda.
54 co-sponsors on US House Resolution 177 – calling for an independent international investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity & a new US policy.
Senate Resolution 84 – passed unanimously calling for international investigation.
5 or more One Minute Speeches on Tamil issues in Congress 2010, 2011, 2012.
