United Nations Human Rights Chief urges respect for international law with end of ceasefire in Sri Lanka
January 15th, 2008
As the Ceasefire Agreement in Sri Lanka is due to effectively end on 16 January 2008, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, reminded the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of their obligations under international law to respect human rights.
“An intensification of hostilities will likely have a devastating effect on the human rights of many Sri Lankans from all communities,” the High Commissioner said.
[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour]
The High Commissioner noted that international law obliges all parties to protect civilians without discrimination and includes prohibitions against the arbitrary deprivation of life, arbitrary detention, forced displacement, enforced disappearances, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. It also forbids the recruitment and deployment of children as soldiers.
The High Commissioner warned that violations of these rules by any party could entail individual criminal responsibility under international criminal law, including by those in positions of command.
The High Commissioner visited Sri Lanka in October 2007. In her dialogue with the Government she has stressed the critical need for independent, public reporting on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and the readiness of her Office to assist in this regard.
Related: Sri Lanka Rejects UN Human Rights High Commissioner Louise Arbour’s ‘Warnings’, Veiled Threats
Entry Filed under: Press Statement
3 Comments Add your own
1. Anonymous | January 16th, 2008 at 5:06 am
To my knowledge not a single action has been taken against the GoSL or LTTE to ensure Human Rights of the people of Sri Lanka during the past two decades. Will Arbours “urging” be heard by anyone? To me it seems that no one will listen until the International Community use their influence in as many ways as possible. May be the country needs a foreign invasion.
2. Yabi | January 17th, 2008 at 11:40 am
i am not sure whether arbour or any other int’l organisation (those who claim to be neutral) has issued a statement condeming LTTE killing unarmed civilians in monaragala.
Seems they are awfully slow in issuing statements when the LTTE kill innocent singhalese. So they are fast loosing credibility in the eyes of the mejority.
3. Tamilarasan | January 19th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Its really sad to hear Yabi’s comments.
UN HC for Human Rights and other Human Rights agencies have periodically condemned the violations against people unleashed by both Sri Lankan Government and Tamil Tigers and other Para military groups.
The Fact remains, Sri Lankan have become insane, this applies to LTTE and GOSL. They think that they could fool the world every day and all day.
Unfortunately, it will come to an end, when former allies of the West were invaded and cruciefied by the same people who were their friends. Late Millosovic & Sadam are classics.
So the time is coming when Sri Lanka’s Crime against Humanity and HR violations against Tamils are catching up with Internationa Community’s attention, regardless of the GOSL oiled propaganda machines through out the world.
Its not about Killing LTTE cadress or LTTE Killing armed soldiers. Its about innocent unarmed Tamils and Singhalese being killed and jailed under the ” easy lable of Terrorism” by concerned.
SRI LANKA MUST STOP KILLING INNOCENT TAMILS, AND THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS, DISSAPEARANCES, PESECUTIONS IMMEADIATELY IF THEY WANT NO STATUS OF PARAYA STATE BY THE IC.
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