For reconciliation and accountability, SL needs international assistance

Saturday, 4 July 2020 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Regarding the Government’s commitment to “reconciliation, accountability and human rights” through domestic means (‘Domestic it is, SL reiterates to UNHRC’), that all seems quite unlikely. It’s also very convenient that these remarks are coming during the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Since he came into office, the President has further polarised the country and governed in an authoritarian fashion. He has not taken actions to suggest that he’s keen on reconciliation and accountability, or even human rights. If the Government cannot release (or bring to trial) all Tamil political prisoners, how is it possible to believe that the administration is serious about reconciliation and accountability?

Now more than ever, the country’s institutions are not capable of delivering reconciliation and accountability through a domestic process. As a minimum, significant international assistance is warranted. But really, a proper accountability process should come through an independent international mechanism.

Taylor Dibbert