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Thank Congress for Calling for a War Crimes Inquiry

August 20, 2010

Last week, 58 Members of Congress called for an independent international investigation into war crimes committed during Sri Lanka's civil war by signing a letter to Secretary Clinton.

PEARL members, including myself, would like to thank you and other Congressional representatives who supported this letter. We contacted many Congressmen and Congresswomen regarding this letter and were very pleased with their responses. You and your colleagues have demonstrated your desire for international justice and accountability—two key components for peace in Sri Lanka—by demanding an impartial war crimes inquiry.

Unfortunately, Sri Lanka quickly rejected the Congressional call for a war crimes probe, and its government officials maintain that its own panels are conducting adequate investigations. However, the US State Department has concluded that Sri Lanka's commissions are ineffective and prejudicially biased.

The US must follow in Congress's footsteps by urging Sri Lanka to accept independently and internationally-backed inquiries, such as the UN Panel of Experts, as a positive means towards achieving peace.

We are grateful that we have dedicated Congresspersons like yourself who will continue to push Sri Lanka to fairly investigate war crimes and related incidents in order to secure peace and justice for its civilian population. Thank you again for your positive response to your constituents' concerns.