EU supports UN report on Lanka

Expressing support to the report of the Panel of Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to advise him on accountability in Sri Lanka, the European Union Tuesday urged the Sri Lankan government to recognise the constructive objectives of the report, and encouraged it to engage with the UNSG on its contents.

Recalling that the EU had welcomed the appointment of the Panel by the UNSG last June, a high representative, Catherine Ashton in a statement issued yesterday, said the EU considers that the publication of the report is an important development.

“The Panel has concluded that there are credible allegations that major violations of international human rights and humanitarian law were committed on all sides in the conflict,” the statement said.

“The EU reiterates its view that an independent process to address these extremely serious allegations should contribute to strengthening the process of reconciliation and ensuring lasting peace and security in Sri Lanka.”

The EU emphasised that as the report says, the issue of accountability should be seen as an essential part of the process of national reconciliation.

The Expert Panel appointed by the UNSG to probe the accountability during the last phase of the armed conflict between the Sri Lankan government forces and the Tamil Tiger terrorists concluded that both sides had violated human right and humanitarian laws.

The Sri Lankan government has rejected the report saying that it is fundamentally flawed and based on biased material that is presented without any verification. (www.colombopage.com)