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India’s accountability in Sri Lanka conflict: Govt. can ask India to prosecute those responsible coming under its purview -HRW
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW) Meenakshi Ganguly says Sri Lanka could request foreign governments to prosecute those responsible for human rights violations coming under the purview of relevant jurisdictions.
Stressing the responsibility on the part of Sri Lanka to indict the accused, Ganguly said Sri Lanka could ask foreign governments to take appropriate action in relevant jurisdictions. Other countries could also indict people as a matter of universal jurisdiction, but most crucially, it is the obligation of the Sri Lanka government to prosecute, the top HRW spokesperson said.
Ganguly, who has been with the HRW since 2004, said so in response to The Island queries regarding the accountability on the part of India for atrocities perpetrated by the Indian military during its deployment in Sri Lanka.
The former correspondent for Time Magazine and Press Trust of India sent us the following response to several specific questions pertaining to accountability issues: The Sri Lankan government has obligations under international law to investigate and appropriately prosecute all individuals responsible for violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian laws that are committed within the country.
For various reasons, such as being outside of the government’s jurisdiction, not everyone who is responsible for such crimes will be able to receive justice in Sri Lanka. But the fact that everyone cannot be prosecuted does not remove the obligation of Sri Lanka to prosecute those who are within the jurisdiction of the country.
The UN declaration of human rights provides that ‘everyone has the right to an effective remedy.’ The human rights committee has further detailed state obligations on the right to a remedy under international law.
The inability to prosecute everyone who should face justice is no reason for the Sri Lanka government to do nothing.The Sri Lankan authorities can also request states to provide these remedies in relevant jurisdictions. Other countries can also prosecute people as a matter of universal jurisdiction, but most crucially, it is the obligation of the Sri Lanka government to prosecute.”
The Island submitted the following questions: (1) How do you (HRW) propose to deal with human rights violations perpetrated by the Indian Army during its deployment in Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka (July 1987-March 1990)?
(2) Do you believe a separate inquiry with the assistance/involvement of India is required to identify those who suffered in the hands of the Indian Army in Sri Lanka and the loved ones of LTTE cadres killed/disappeared during July 1987-March 1990?
(3) [A]Quite a number of ex-LTTE cadres as well as other members of Tamil groups sponsored by India are now living in Europe, America, Canada, Australia, Middle East and India. How do you propose to investigate them as some countries have granted them citizenship?
[B] Do you believe special inquiry is needed to deal with those who are living in India?
(4) Some members of those groups now serve as MPs. How do you expect the government to deal with parliamentarians? (One of them was recently accused of conspiring with Sri Lankan military intelligence to facilitate Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s victory at 2019 presidential poll)
(5) And finally, [A] Do you believe the TNA should be investigated for its links with the LTTE as the former (TNA) recognized internationally proscribed group as the sole representative of the Tamil speaking people? [B] Have you received representations from human rights defenders as regards the need for a no holds barred investigation to identify all perpetrators, including the Indian military, Indian intelligence services and those Sri Lankans living overseas under different names?
The above issues were raised in the wake of HRW slamming the government here over claims of continuing abuses. In a new report released in Geneva on Sept. 18, 2023, New York headquartered HRW alleged that such actions undermined the purported goals of its newly proposed truth and reconciliation commission. Victims of past violations, their families, and human rights defenders have rejected the government’s initiative because the government has not consulted them, ignored evidence gathered by past commissions, and exposed them to fresh security force abuses.
The 39-page report, “‘If We Raise Our Voice They Arrest Us’: Sri Lanka’s Proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” documented what HRW called abusive security force surveillance and intimidation of activists and campaigners from minority Tamil families of those who “disappeared” during the conflict. The HRW alleged the government used draconian counterterrorism laws to silence dissenting voices, including those calling for truth and accountability, while government-backed land grabs target Tamil and Muslim communities and their places of worship, the report claimed.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
