Australian Tamils welcome shift in world stance on Sri Lankan war crimes
The Australian Tamil Congress welcomes the shift in the international community’s stance on issues of war crimes in Sri Lanka.
On Wednesday, the Australian Senate unanimously passed a motion jointly moved by Sen. Lee Rhiannon, Sen. Gary Humphries and Foreign Minister Bob Carr calling on Australia to support a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution.
Last night the United States led resolution was passed at the UNHRC calling on Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations of its internal inquiry, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), while pointing out the LLRC report does not however adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law.
“We appreciate Australia openly calling Sri Lanka out on issues of war crimes and accountability,” said Dr. Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “The UNHRC resolution is finally an acknowledgement by the international community that Sri Lanka needs to address serious issues of accountability. However, the resolution is only a small first step and our call for international independent inquiry will continue until Tamils achieve the justice they deserve,” she added.
Australian Parliament supports international calls for investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka
ATC advocacy bears fruit - bipartisan support for motion to support UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka war crimes
Evidence of Sri Lankan Army Execution of a Tamil Child
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE on 15 March 2012 7AM
Evidence of Sri Lankan Army Execution of a Tamil Child
Today, a British documentary will reveal chilling evidence showing what is believed to be the execution by Sri Lankan Armed Forces of a child – the 12 year old son of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam leader, after he had surrendered to government forces. The photographs and video appears to be grotesque ‘trophy’ footage taken by the Sri Lankan military.
The documentary by Channel 4 titled “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished” reveals damning new evidence of war crimes and traces the ultimate responsibility for these crimes to the highest ranking officials, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother, Defence Minister Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It forensically examines and reveals the systematic policy of executing surrendering or captured Tamils, even if they were children, the deliberate heavy shelling of civilians and hospitals in ‘No Fire Zones’ and the strategic denial of food and medicine to thousands of trapped civilians.
With the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council currently discussing an American-led resolution on Sri Lanka, the film also explores the complicity of the international community, including the UN, who chose to ignore the bloodshed in Sri Lanka.
“The international community, including Australia, failed to protect Tamil victims of war crimes,” said Dr. Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “It is now time for Australia to step away from the soft diplomacy it practices with Sri Lanka and openly call for an international independent inquiry into war crimes, with trade sanctions being imposed if Sri Lanka fails to follow,” she added.
“Our government’s silence only helps to protect the perpetrators and continue the persecution of Tamil people, which is the direct cause of thousands arriving here by boat seeking asylum,” she said.
Last year, the International Commission of Jurists submitted a dossier of evidence and eye witness testimonies of war crimes committed in Sri Lanka, to the Australian Federal Police.
The documentary will be aired at 9.55AM AEST and can be viewed online via: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields/4od#3303398
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Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia
Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia has raised concerns that a small number of Sri Lankan migrants in Australia are raising funds to support future Tamil Tiger activities.
Dr Sam Pari -Spokesperson for ATC says: All the money raised is predominantly used for awareness raising campaigns and various other expenses of the organisation itself. All our accounts are audited. And I would categorically deny any such efforts being made by the Australian Tamil Congress. I think this is a smear campaign by the Sri Lankan government to attack the credibility of Tamil organisations in foreign countries for the effort, they're putting into awareness about war crimes and violations by the Sri Lankan government. Read more...
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22.03.12
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The Australian Tamil Congress welcomes the shift in the international community’s stance on issues of war crimes in Sri Lanka.
On Wednesday, the Australian Senate unanimously passed a motion jointly moved by Sen. Lee Rhiannon, Sen. Gary Humphries and Foreign Minister Bob Carr calling on Australia to support a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution.
Last night the United States led resolution was passed at the UNHRC calling on Sri Lanka to implement the constructive recommendations of its internal inquiry, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), while pointing out the LLRC report does not however adequately address serious allegations of violations of international law.
“We appreciate Australia openly calling Sri Lanka out on issues of war crimes and accountability,” said Dr. Sam Pari, spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress. “The UNHRC resolution is finally an acknowledgement by the international community that Sri Lanka needs to address serious issues of accountability. However, the resolution is only a small first step and our call for international independent inquiry will continue until Tamils achieve the justice they deserve,” she added.
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22.03.12
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Read more...Michelle Rowland MP -Member for GreenwayAustralian Parliament supports international calls for investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri LankaFederal Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, welcomed the Australian Parliament support for a motion supporting the US-led resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which amongst other recommendations urges Sri Lanka to investigate allegations of war crimes and human-rights abuses during the war by all parties.The joint motion was moved by the new Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bob Carr and calls for an independent investigation into all allegations of war crimes, including those outlined in the UN Secretary-General s Panel of Experts report.We must look to move Tamil relations and justice for Tamils forward in a constructive and meaningful way, Ms Rowland said.Accountability will be a crucial part of reconciliation and lasting peace in Sri Lanka.That is why I have been a strong advocate for an independent, transparent investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka.I have watched with horror the UK s Channel 4 documentary which showed extended footage of executions of Tamils and other crimesagainst humanity.With the persecution of people in Sri Lanka causing thousands of people to flock to Australia in search of asylum, peace and stability in the island of Sri Lanka will also benefit Australia.The Parliament s recent support for the US led resolution at the UN Human Rights Council which urges an independent investigation is atestament to the commitment and dedication of Tamil leaders, including the members of the Australian Tamil Congress.I look forward to working with the Tamil community in my electorate to ensure the cause of justice continues.Contact: Dominic Ofner (0407 678 564)
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21.03.12
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Read more...A timely motion has been passed unanimously today in the Australian Senate, voting to give bipartisan support for the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).As you are aware the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva is currently debating a US-led resolution on Sri Lanka. The Australian Senate motion being passed only days before the final vote at the UNHRC will give strength to the UNHRC vote taking place on Friday 23 March 2012 and counteract the intense lobbying by the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the UNHRC resolution is not passed.The following motion was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Senator Gary Humphries. The Australian Tamil Congress has been tirelessly lobbying Members of Parliament and Senators on issues of war crimes and we are confident that our continuous advocacy has bore fruit. However, we are aware that the US-led resolution is only a first step and we will continue to lobby for an international independent investigation to achieve the true justice for our Tamil brethren.Kind regards,Australian Tamil CongressMOTION PASSED ON 21 March 20121) The Senate notes:a. On the 13th of February 2012, the then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd issued a media release in response to the Sri Lankan Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) final report that stated:i. The LLRC report contains constructive proposals for advancing reconciliation and reconstruction, including through reducing the presence of security forces in the North, care of internally displaced persons and media freedoms;?ii. The Australian Government has consistently urged Sri Lanka to investigate all allegations of crimes committed by both sides to the conflict, including those raised in the UN Secretary-General's Panel of Experts report;iii. In light of the report's failure to comprehensively address such allegations, the government continues to call on Sri Lanka for all such allegations to be investigated in a transparent and independent manner.2) The Senate calls on the Australian government, as a minimum, to support efforts to secure a US initiated resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, through the Australian permanent representative in Geneva.
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21.03.12
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Read more...A timely motion has been passed unanimously today in the Australian Senate, voting to give bipartisan support for the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).As you are aware the 19th session of the UNHRC in Geneva is currently debating a US-led resolution on Sri Lanka. The Australian Senate motion being passed only days before the final vote at the UNHRC will give strength to the UNHRC vote taking place on Friday 23 March 2012 and counteract the intense lobbying by the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the UNHRC resolution is not passed.The following motion that was moved by Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon, Foreign Minister Bob Carr and Senator Gary Humphries. The Australian Tamil Congress has been tirelessly lobbying Members of Parliament and Senators on issues of war crimes and we are confident that our continuous advocacy has bore fruit. However, we are aware that the US-led resolution is only a first step and we will continue to lobby for an international independent investigation to achieve the true justice for our Tamil brethren.Kind regards,Australian Tamil CongressMOTION PASSED ON 21 March 20121) The Senate notes:a. On the 13th of February 2012, the then Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd issued a media release in response to the Sri Lankan Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) final report that stated:
?i. The LLRC report contains constructive proposals for advancing reconciliation and reconstruction, including through reducing the presence of security forces in the North, care of internally displaced persons and media freedoms;
ii. The Australian Government has consistently urged Sri Lanka to investigate all allegations of crimes committed by both sides to the conflict, including those raised in the UN Secretary-General's Panel of Experts report;
iii. In light of the report's failure to comprehensively address such allegations, the government continues to call on Sri Lanka for all such allegations to be investigated in a transparent and independent manner.
2) The Senate calls on the Australian government, as a minimum, to support efforts to secure a US initiated resolution on Sri Lanka at the 19th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, through the Australian permanent representative in Geneva. -
14.03.12
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