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
