Priests demand tougher action on war crimes

One hundred and thirty three Catholic priests from Sri Lanka have written to the UN Human Rights Council urging much tougher action on war crimes and human rights. This comes as the US is planning to table a procedural resolution on Sri Lanka at the next session in March, which many regard as too weak.

The priests take the bold step of calling for an international investigation into war crimes – echoing the call of major human rights groups. They also ask for a special rapporteur to be appointed to address war crimes and reconciliation and a process of accountability for United Nations officials in Sri Lanka who failed to protect civilians during the 2009 war.

The letter, the first of its kind to be signed by so many clergy, says in the last year those who’ve challenged the government in peaceful ways, including engagement with the UN, have been assaulted questioned, arrested, discredited and intimidated by ministers, officials and members of the security forces. The letter says some of the victims have been members of the clergy, who are too frightened even to add their signatures to this letter.

The priests describe a situation of suppression targeting Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority, which they say appears to be done with intent to destroy them in whole or part. They also point to a growing authoritarianism all over Sri Lanka, including a recent spate of attacks against Muslims, attacks on journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, student leaders, trades union leaders and religious leaders.

Read the full text of the letter: Letter to UNHRC by North - East clergy

© SCTD

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Journalists for Democracy in Sri Lanka

  • JDS is the Sri Lankan partner organization of international media rights group, Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The launching of this website was made possible by the EU’s European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), of which Reporters Without Borders is a beneficiary.