Action Alert ArchiveHonor Dead Civilians: Investigate Sri Lanka's War CrimesMay 19, 2010 At this same time last year, tens of thousands of Tamils were caught in the bloody ending of Sri Lanka's 26-year long civil war. The Sri Lankan government indiscriminately fired and shelled civilian areas, designated no-fire zones, and hospitals. According to UN sources, the final five months of fighting killed 7,000 civilians. However, because the Sri Lankan government severely restricted media and humanitarian access during this time, it is difficult to accurately determine the true extent of civilian casualties. Today, one year later, we must honor the immense loss of civilian life. As your constituent, I urge you and your colleagues to investigate Sri Lanka's war crimes. In October 2009, the State Department submitted its “Report to Congress on Incidents During the Recent Conflict in Sri Lanka ,” which provided evidence of alleged war crimes. Congress must prove to Sri Lanka and the rest of the world that war crimes cannot be covered up. Human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty international have continuously called for inquiries into allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international law perpetrated by Sri Lankan government forces. While President Rajapaksa announced the creation of a “Commission on Lessons Learned and Reconciliation” to examine the war's end, Sri Lanka has a long history of symbolic commissions meant to deflect international scrutiny. So, though his words suggest sincerity, his policies and actions are anything but truthful. We should not allow the Rajapaksa government to play us for fools. This is an excellent opportunity for the U.S. to demonstrate its commitment to global justice and human rights. Do not let the suffering of the dead Tamil civilians go unnoticed. Please call for an inquiry into Sri Lanka's war crimes on behalf of the Tamils who still live there as well as the less fortunate ones who were slaughtered last year. |
The mission of People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL) is to end the systemic human rights abuses against the Tamil population in Sri Lanka, and promote equality, rights and justice on the island. PEARL is 501(c)3 non-profit organization led by human rights activists concerned about the situation in Sri Lanka. |
