Following yesterday's announcement by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General of a three-member advisory panel on alleged human rights abuses during the final stages of Sri Lanka's civil war in 2009, the Australian Tamil Congress (ATC) urges all sides of Australian politics to support an Australian Senate motion scheduled for tomorrow on the very same issue.

"We welcome the UN's announcement of an advisory panel and we hope the UN will soon take the next step towards actually investigating these alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka," said Dr Sam Pari, ATC spokesperson. "We hope all sides of Australian politics see the importance of bringing the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and support the Senate motion tomorrow," she added.

Several eminent Australians have confirmed their support on this issue, including Australian of the Year, Prof. Patrick McGorry.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will propose a Senate motion tomorrow calling "on the Australian Government, as an active member state of the United Nations, to encourage the UN to investigate the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka."

Last month, independent reports by the International Crisis Group and Human Rights Watch cited photographs and eye witness testimonies strengthening claims of war crimes and reiterated their calls for an independent investigation into Sri Lanka.

Media contact:
Dr Sam Pari - 0433 428 967

International Crisis Group - War Crimes in Sri Lanak
http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka/191-war-crimes-in-sri-lanka.aspx

Human Rights Watch - Sri Lanka: New Evidence of Wartime Abuses
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/05/20/sri-lanka-new-evidence-wartime-abuses

Channel 4 News - Sri Lanka Tamil killings 'ordered from the top'
http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/sri+lanka+option/3652687

 
 “Suggestions that the man who led the Sri Lankan army in rounding up and unlawfully imprisoning 300,000 men, women and children may seek asylum in Australia is an outrage”
 
Dr Sam Pari – Spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress (ATC)
 
In response to reports that former Sri Lankan army Chief Sareth Fonseka is considering seeking temporary asylum in Australia, Australian Tamil Congress Spokesperson, Dr Sam Pari stated “It is inconceivable to think the Australian Government would even consider such a request given General Fonseka’s alleged involvement in war crimes during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict.
“For Sareth Fonseka to even make the suggestion shows his incredible arrogance and contempt for the values and freedoms we have in Australia.
“Australia and her citizens should be protected from suspected war criminals including Sareth Fonseka and Palitha Kohona – the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the United Nations and dual Australian citizen”, said Dr Pari
 
ENDS
 
Dr Sam Pari is available for interview on this topic Ph:  0433 428 967

 
“The re-election of a man who unlawfully imprisoned 300,000 men, women and children and whose regime has accrued an appalling human rights record should be condemned”
 
Dr Sam Pari - Spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Congress (ATC)
President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s victory in Sri Lanka’s Presidential elections virtually guarantees the democratic, social and economic opportunities for Tamils and other minorities in Sri Lanka will remain bleak, according to Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson for The Australian Tamil Congress.
“150,000 Tamils remain detained against their will in military run camps. Thousands of people have gone missing without trace and Tamils who have been released face severe restrictions on freedom of movement. Poor voter turnout in the predominantly Tamil areas of the north and east of Sri Lanka show the deep level of resentment and mistrust against both candidates.
“Despite calls by the United Nations for investigations into alleged war crimes, President Rajapaksa continues to resist any cooperation in these investigations. The outcome of this election will continue to hamper the restoration of justice and the ability of the country to move forward through reconciliation - a key component in Sri Lanka’s rebuilding process.
“We are extremely concerned for the welfare of Tamils and other minorities in Sri Lanka and once again are calling on the Australian Government and the international community to ensure peace, justice and true democracy are restored. They must take a more active role in holding President Rajapaksa to account and pressure for independent investigations into alleged war crimes”, said Dr Pari.
On the issue of asylum seekers, Dr Pari said “the only way to stem the tide of boat people arriving in Australian waters is to address the root cause of why people are fleeing Sri Lanka in the first place- to escape ethnic persecution and a brutal regime which is answerable to no one”
 

Dr Sam Pari is available for interview on this topic Ph: 0433 428 967

Lee Rhiannon and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will be meeting the NSW Tamil community @ Homebush Boys High School on the 29th of May @ 4pm. From Hansard -Page: 50SRI LANKAN CONFLICT
Ms LEE RHIANNON [5.27 p.m.]: I make reference to the one-year anniversary marking the end of Sri Lanka's civil war, particularly with reference to the recent decision of the Federal Government to suspend the processing of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. Given reports coming out of Sri Lanka of why Tamil people are continuing to flee their country and seek asylum, it seems essential for us to respond to the needs of the Tamil people and not turn our backs to their cries.

In May 2009 the Sri Lankan government claimed victory after 26 years of civil war. It has been reported that around 380,000 were subsequently incarcerated in internment camps with extremely poor sanitation and water facilities. Among the reported conditions to date there have been allegations of starvation, rape, prostitution, torture,