By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune
Washington, 16 May, (Asiantribune.com): The UN human rights office says war crimes and crimes against humanity may have been committed during the conflict in Sri Lanka, possibly by both the government and Tamil Tiger rebels.
Almost a couple of months ago, the UN human rights official, Navi Pillay, called on the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tiger rebels to immediately suspend hostilities. She warned the number of civilian deaths could reach catastrophic levels. She put both warring parties on notice that they may possibly have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The High Commissioner's spokesman, Rupert Colville, says since she expressed these concerns, nothing has happened to change her mind.
As reported, nearly 200,000 Tamil civilians in northern Sri Lanka have become displaced since the government began its fight to the finish against the Tamil Tiger rebels early this year. An estimated 50,000 people remain trapped in the tiny conflict zone. Thousands of civilians reportedly have been killed and many thousands more wounded.
The United Nations has called on both warring parties to end this bloodbath. It said the Tamil Tigers must stop using the civilians as human shields and let them leave the conflict zone. At the same time, the United Nations has told the government it must fulfill its commitment not to use heavy weapons and to exercise maximum restraint.
The clashes over the past week or so have drawn strong criticism from the UN Secretary-General, other Senior officials and an increasing number of worried governments. The Secretary General talk to Sri Lank President yesterday and according to the officials was seriously thinking of visiting Sri Lanka soon.
UN official noted that three investigators recently called for an independent Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of the Sri Lankan conflict.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
UN.... Everyone knows that
UN.... Everyone knows that the UN has always taken sides. That couldn't prevent the war on Iraq, now condemns Sri Lanka saying there is war crimes! Well, why didn't the UN speak against Bush when he went into war with Iraq, which was just not needed.
The UN was useless long before, and no one will ever take that organization seriously.
Pillai is another victim of
Pillai is another victim of LTTE misinformation. 300,000, who would have otherwise perished by LTTE fire have been rescued by armed forces. It was the largest ever rescue in history. Pillai has nothing to say about it in spite of being the UN HC for refugees. Even the latest info from the war front shows how the troops have managed to get another 12,000 out of LTTE clutches. It is a pity these officials just buy into LTTE propaganda without critically looking at the data in spite of the fact that GOSL and several analysts, local and overseas, have pointed this out.
Sarath Who appoints ladies
Sarath
Who appoints ladies like Pillai and let her to hold on to this kind of post will not be tolerated by any nation or government which really cares about their people. As they are there, something needs to be aired. So they just open up their mouths and say. Otherwise the people will forget that there are organizations like that. The money spent by UN to keep these people in an organization like UN is an utter waste. These monies should be spent on something useful for the mankind rather than on human rights which has become a cheap issue for UN as well as other human right groups who want to live by this in the 21st century.
How is that UN could only
How is that UN could only open their eyes now? Statistics show that over 70,000 died in Sri Lanka as a result of LTTE terrorism and no one cared to assist Sri Lankans for so long.
Since when did the UN retain Tamilnet to maintain statistics?
Now everyone wants to talk about war crimes. It was declared by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka that GOSL has a right to declare war against LTTE terrorism. Law of the land stands.
Mrs. Pillai is a highly qualified individual. She has to maintain her status and not make statements that are indefensible.
UN = Utter Nonsense Pillai
UN = Utter Nonsense
Pillai is talking Utter Nonsense.
"UN says war crimes
"UN says war crimes committed in Sri Lanka"
This still has to be proven with facts evidence.
"The refusal to allow independent monitors, media, aid workers or other international observers to see for themselves what is actually going on has made it very difficult to cut through the mass of propaganda. It also heightens the impression that those blocking the access have something to hide," the UN spokesman added.
On the other side they talk about war crimes as if they believe in the the mass of propaganda.
Another big question is who had committed war crimes in Sri Lanka?
The UN is not clear on this either.
I hope gov of SriLanka retains the witnesses like Soosai's aife, defected LTTE masters as proffs for these alleged war crimes.
Ooh, the U.N. Tiger
Ooh, the U.N. Tiger representative opens her foul mouth again & we are all scared to death. The whole world now knows that U.N. is a failed organization & by keeping stupid women like this in their ranks, they are only making things worse for them. Too late Pillay, your master Velu, the ONLY war criminal is now dead!
Navi Pillay states that war
Navi Pillay states that war crimes have been committed by BOTH the LTTE and the GoSL. And that is the stark truth and painful reality. She, clearly, is not taking sides, but presenting the painful truth. And there are international bodies that have the authority and power to deal with these types of issues. Look at what happened to former Yugoslav politician, Slbodan Milosovich. And recently, the Sudanese leader, Al Basheer, I think, has also been singled out for crimes against segments of his own people. And if he sets foot in a foreign country, he very likely will get hauled before an international tribunal. Certain people seem to be under the impression that these international bodies are solely concerned with Sri Lanka. This assumption is simply ridiculous.
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