Sri Lanka

The last phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the State forces in the North and Eastern parts left several thousands dead and injured. Deplorable and grave human rights violations and crimes against humanity were committed by both warring factions, causing civilians innumerable suffering. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights established the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) mandated to investigate allegations of serious violation and abuses of human rights. At the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council civil society organisations in Sri Lanka welcomed the release of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on Promoting Reconciliation and Accountability in Sri Lanka and the Report of the OHCHR Investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL). The report highlighted deep-seated and institutionalized impunity, risking the recurrence of grave violations which have wracked Sri Lanka’s past. As part of his recommendations, the High Commissioner called on the government of Sri Lanka to accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as an imperative part of a comprehensive approach to a transitional justice process that incorporates the full range of judicial and non-judicial measures.