AI urges Government to make good on promises

The London based Amnesty International (AI) says it is time for Sri Lanka to make good on its promises to account for alleged crimes under international law and build the domestic culture of human rights necessary to prevent the recurrence of past violations.

Olof Blomqvist, press officer at the Media Programme of Amnesty International said that if a process of truth, justice, reparation and non-recurrence is to take root in Sri Lanka, an essential step must be broad and meaningful consultation with representatives of civil society throughout the country.

“With parliamentary elections over and a new government in place, it is time for Sri Lanka to make good on its promises to account for alleged crimes under international law and build the domestic culture of human rights necessary to prevent the recurrence of past violations. If a process of truth, justice, reparation and non-recurrence is to take root in Sri Lanka, an essential step must be broad and meaningful consultation with representatives of civil society throughout the country, and notably the victims of human rights abuses and violations and surviving family members to determine what they need and expect from an accountability process,? he said.

He noted that teir active and informed participation in its design is essential to ensure that the measures taken are meaningful, to gain their confidence to participate in the processes, and to defend accountability efforts against forces who may be intent on preventing the exposure of truth and accountability of perpetrators. (Colombo Gazette)