Human Rights Violations in Sri Lanka
Thu, 08/05/2010 - 09:36 — LIG Reporter
The Elders is a committee of retired global leaders. In August 2010, the Elders expressed grave concerns about the failure of the Sri Lankan Government to address the increasing number of incidents pertaining to human rights violations. Headed by Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Elders was founded by Nelson Mandela. Its famous members include Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and several retired officials of United Nations who feel strongly about world affairs and want to voice their perspectives so as to trigger a cause of positive, planned action. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is the Chairman of the Elders, and his work is to march ahead against any form of injustice or human rights violations.
The Elders council was closely following the civil war that took place in Sri Lanka, between the Government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). They contacted the Sri Lankan government and other international bodies to draw their attention towards the human rights violations that continue to pose grave danger in the country. On receiving lukewarm global response, the council expressed fears that such deafening global silence may encourage other countries to opt a similar approach.
Human Rights Violations: Allegations against the Government of Sri Lanka
Desmond Tutu is a known name in the field of marching to protest against human rights violations. He is considered to be a hero of South Africa’s powerful anti-apartheid movement. 
In this issue pertaining to Sri Lanka, Desmond Tutu has raised grave allegations against the government of Sri Lanka about the ill-treatment and disappearance of human rights activists, journalists and government critics. He alleged that Sri Lanka has taken a lenient approach towards addressing human rights violations and in establishing reconciliation in the country. He pointed out that previous internal commissions have not done much to reveal the truth behind such human rights violation incidents.
Desmond Tutu’s allegations of human rights violations include:
- Detention of nearly 8,000 suspected ex- combatants without any justifying charges and denial of access to legal aid as well as to their family members.
- Failure of the government to cease the wartime emergency laws more than a year after the end of the civil war.
- Failure of the government to address the political marginalization of ethnic minority groups that are still suffering in the country.
- The Sri Lankan government’s unacceptable conduct towards the United Nations and its officials.
Although President Mahinda Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka appointed a commission to look into the matter, this is not sufficient to hold anyone accountable for repairing the gross human rights violations in the country. Most victims and witnesses are unlikely to even provide evidence.
Final Legal Take Away Tip: An independent international inquiry, which is competent to gather evidence on the alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, should be formed. The Sri Lankan government should provide financial compensation and aid to the families of the victims of human rights violations.
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