Sri Lanka has 'failed to show transparency' charges North-East civil society

Photographs: Groundviews
More than 290 war affected community members from across the Tamil North-East have called for the United Nations to “become a partner to build the transitional justice efforts of Sri Lanka” stating that the current government has failed in its obligations.

“The government has failed to show transparency and genuineness in carrying out the national consultation,” said an open appeal addressed to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al-Hussein, released at the Vavuniya Urban Council Cultural Hall on Tuesday.

“The government is forcing their plans upon us without considering the importance of participation and contribution of the affected communities in creating reconciliation bringing about a lasting solution to the ethnic divide”, it added. “Therefore, we have lost faith in the Sri Lankan government’s efforts in carrying out the transitional justice process.”

The letter, signed by civil society from all eight districts across the Tamil North-East went on to state the “UN must become a partner to build the transitional justice efforts of Sri Lanka on a rights based approach”.

“By entering into a memorandum of understanding with Sri Lanka, UN will be able to regulate the transitional justice mechanism structure with international standards” it said. “By this means, justice and a lasting solution will be meted out to the affected communities in the North and East of Sri Lanka.”