War crimes: AI Chief wants Sri Lanka referred to UN Security Council

On the 15th anniversary of the end of the war, Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, Agnes Callamard, has called on the international community to take decisive action by referring Sri Lanka to the UN Security Council with a view to an International Criminal Court investigation.

Speaking to the Tamil Guardian after attending the Mullivaikkal commemoration on 18 May, Callamard highlighted the ongoing struggle for justice and the critical need for international intervention, including the application of universal jurisdiction to deliver justice when Sri Lankan war criminals travel abroad.

“The Mullivaikkal commemoration] was very, very moving,” said Callamard, highlighting that she had met the mothers of the disappeared earlier, who spoke about their anguish, their fears, and the repression they faced. Their anguish stems from not knowing what happened to their loved ones, Callamard said, adding that “this ceremony is a grim reminder of everyone’s failure”.