Sri Lanka Killed Tens Of Thousands Of Civilians, Committed War Crimes: Human Rights Group

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — An international rights group said Monday there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Sri Lankan forces committed war crimes during the final months of the country's civil war and called for an international investigation.

In a scathing report, the International Crisis Group said tens of thousands of civilians were killed in shelling and other violence in the last battles of the quarter-century conflict between government forces and the Tamil Tiger rebels, which ended last May.

The Brussels-based organization said it had "credible evidence" that government security forces intentionally shelled civilians after herding them into so-called "no-fire zones" and deliberately targeted hospitals and centers were aid was being distributed.

The government also blocked food and medical shipments to the area, and deliberately underestimated the number of civilians trapped inside the ever-shrinking rebel territory, the report said

The last five months of the war – between January and May 2009 – saw "tens of thousands of Tamil civilian men, women, children and the elderly killed, countless more wounded, and hundreds of thousands deprived of adequate food and medical care, resulting in more deaths," the report said.

Government officials did not immediately respond to calls for comment. In the past, the government has denied committing war crimes and refused calls to establish international investigations into its conduct of the war, saying it would conduct its own probe into its conduct. On Monday, the government established a "Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission" to look into the final phase of the war.

The conflict ended a year ago after government forces overran the Tamil Tigers' stronghold in the north, destroying their dream of establishing an independent homeland for Sri Lanka's ethnic Tamil minority.

The U.N. has said between 80,000 to 100,000 people were killed in the conflict, but the International Crisis Group report suggests the number of those killed is far higher than previous estimates.

Analyzing population data from the war zone and comparing it with the number of civilians who eventually escaped, the report says it is difficult to arrive at a number of the killed or missing from the final months of the war that is lower than 30,000, and a plausible argument could be made that 75,000 civilians are unaccounted for.

"Crisis Group also believes that all but a small portion of these deaths were due to government fire," the report said.

The report said top government and military leaders could be responsible for war crimes and recommended and independent, international inquiry be established under the auspices of the U.N.

The group also accused the Tamil Tiger rebels of holding the civilians as virtual hostages in the area and shooting those who tried to escape. But since the rebel leadership was decimated at the end of the war there is no one to answer for those charges.

The report also criticized the United Nation's conduct during the conflict, its withdrawal from the conflict zone at government insistence in 2008, "its ineffectual attempts to push for a cease-fire and its involvement in Sri Lankan government internment camps," where nearly 300,000 displaced people were detained at the end of the war.

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Online:

http://www.crisisgroup.org/

Comments

[Mahamaharaja]

03:01 PM on 07/08/2010

ICG: Any evidence where that big mouth is? No? Then stop spreading malicious lies.

[lovefederer]

05:30 PM on 05/18/2010

Neither side is in the right here. I was born and raised in SL and I can attest that my family and I were terrorized not only by the LTTE but by the Sinhalese as well. The JVP and SLFP were both Sinhalese political organizations who had a large voice. They raided our homes, held my father at gun point and demanded that we hand over our Tamil friends and workers who were innocent civilians trying to make a life for their families. The violence they committed against the Tamils is not something I will soon forget. However, despite the marginalization of the Tamils, that does not give them a free pass to commit the kind of terror they did on a daily basis. When the blacks of the US fought for their civil rights and the Indians fought for their independence from the British, they fought peacefully and prevailed. The problem is that the Tamils equated their civil rights with land ownership and division of the country into two separate states. My country is minute and every inch of land is sacred. In fighting for that, there was no level of violence or destruction too great for either side.

[goodmarina]

06:35 PM on 05/18/2010

Well said. I am sorry for the horror your family experienced. But i will also tell you that there were many Sinhala & Burghers who faced similar situations by the JVP because either they were estate owners that refused to hand-over their Tamil workers or Colombo (or suburbian) long-time neighbors who refused to tell where their Tamil friends were hiding out.

A good friend of mine whose Sinhala father employs several Tamils was shot to death in front of his family for standing up for Tamils.

As to the LTTE ... they were wrong. They prevented Sinhala, Burgher & Muslims from traveling to many LTTE controled areas. There were many religious institutions (churches, convents, etc.) that had to get special passes in order to travel. Since when did a citizen of a country have to get a special permit (akin to a visa) to travel within their own country from a terrorist organization.

Tamils who funneled hundreds of millions of dollars (probably in the billions) into Sri Lanka to aid the LTTE are just as guilty as the terrorists themselves.

[lovefederer]

06:44 PM on 05/18/2010

I don't disagree with you at all. As a child, I was never allowed to leave my home, had nationwide curfews at 7pm, lived in a country run by the military and witnessed more suicide bombings than I'd care to mention. However, I am Sinhalese and I still don't believe it's as black and white as some people think.

[Rianna]

05:22 PM on 05/18/2010

There is no doubt the Sri Lankan government covered up a lot of what was going on in the North.
They prohibited the Media and Humanitarian groups from visiting these camps, and no one knew of the death and destruction that was going on. It is sad to think that innocent civilians had to be killed to end this war. It is also sad that the minorities were treated badly by both the terrorists, their own people, and the Sri Lankan government. These poor people were first victimized by the terrorists, and then by the government they had to depend on for their very existence. The Government diffuses all blame, by acting the victim of mischivious Humanitarian and Aid groups, and blames Western countries for wanting to "sabotage" the
country, and the Mahinda goverment. They keep hinting of Western nations being jealous of
the success they have had in eradicating terrorism. A good ploy considering the people in Sri Lanka feels patriotic when it comes to other nations interferring. No one brings up the subject of these unnecessary killings.

[goodmarina]

06:40 PM on 05/18/2010

Your facts are almost correct ...

But you need to look at the broader picture and understand that EVERYONE suffered. The Sinhala majority have lost thousands of their people as well at the hands of the terrorists.

When a Tamil living in the US, UK, Canada, Australia or elsewhere funneled money to help the LTTE, they were just as guilty as the terrorists.

You are right with your assessments of the government and how it tries to diffuse the blame by blaming everyone else but the mishandling of a nearly 40 yr old war.

I don't doubt one bit that the govt behaved with little regard towards civilian lives when the final determination was made to end the war. I for one, am glad the war is over .. and war is hell, period. And it is always the civilians that pay with their lives and unbearable cost of living (since they will pay for this war for decades to come through taxes).

[Rianna]

08:54 PM on 05/18/2010

I agree that everyone suffered as a result of terrorism in Sri Lanka. The terrorists were responsible for thousands of deaths of innocent people, and even killed other Tamils who were moderate, and criticized them. The LTTE were the pioneers of suicide bombing, and are responsible for the deaths of many leaders, including Rajiv Gandhi of India.
Muslims were chased out of some Northern areas, and were forced to live in camps as refugees. Temples and mosques were attacked as people were praying, and they were killed. I also agree that the Tamil diaspora were responsible for financing this movement, and supporting it. It is a great thing that this problem is now over, but it is a shame that many innocent civilians had to be killed in the process, and that the pressent government is so secretive about it.

[climbing panda]

04:34 PM on 05/18/2010

UPDATE: The UN has nominated the president of Sri Lanka to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award and has elected him the head of their Human Rights Council.

[goodmarina]

06:40 PM on 05/18/2010

Absolutely not true.

[climbing panda]

07:00 PM on 05/18/2010

good job spotting the fake. since a real update would be in the article and not in my snide remarks. they are not baseless though. apparently the UN is okay with accepting money from the sri lankan president and then offering an award in his name like they did with obiang.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vijaya-ramachandran/unescos-decision-to-accep_b_572398.html

[bamz]

11:47 AM on 05/18/2010

Did we expect anything else? when the world media was so over itself after the Sirilankan victory over the Tamils rebels ( indirectly giving support to all the current west adventurers such as the US war against the Taliban and the Iraqi resistance) as well as Israel wars against the Palestinians and the Lebanese..That was the undercurrent of that most "happy hour" when the Tamils lost, and they expected that with SiriLankan determination and persistence as a guide, Israel and the US will win their wars too.
However among the rejoice we forhot the brutality at the local level, and the huge civilan price the Tamils will pay. Yet, the deaths and persecutions will be the seeds for future rebels and violence.

[yourbuffers]

11:40 AM on 05/18/2010

abu ghraib! abu ghraib! gitmo! gimto! thats all you hear.

[mamacat]

10:45 PM on 05/17/2010

Mans capacity to treat his fellow humans inhumanely has been demonstrated innumerable times over the last several thousand years. This sort of thing rightly disgusts us, but it does not surprise us.

[yourbuffers]

10:24 PM on 05/17/2010

liberals dont care. its not abu ghairab or gitmo where a prisoner gets 3 meals a day. liberals only care about their narratives and things that make them feel/look good.

[goodmarina]

10:41 PM on 05/17/2010

I am a liberal and I do care. But this is not about liberal or conservative. This is about a corrupt government & a brutally violent terrorist organization that engaged in decades long practices that hurt innocent civilians.

Dont you understand ... liberal, conservative, UN, US ... EU or whatever other initials that could intervene. Change cannot happen as long as there's money to be made by an elite few.

[mamacat]

10:45 PM on 05/17/2010

liberals blah blah blah - get a life

[Adam Jacobowitz]

10:00 PM on 05/17/2010

Of course, because this is not an accusation against Israel, nobody will care.

[LeeCalif]

07:42 PM on 05/17/2010

The U.N. assisted in the US overthrow of the democratically-elected government of Aristide.
And the U.N. continues to be a police force for the dictator installed during that coup.

[goodmarina]

09:56 PM on 05/17/2010

And how did it work out for Haiti?

[goodmarina]

07:08 PM on 05/17/2010

Make no mistake, these are ruthless terrorists who planned pregnancies & used pregnant women on suicide missions.

As much as I understand the lack of real help & support that was offered the Sri Lankan govt from the intl communities, the current government was as ruthless as the terrorists in its pursuit of ending the war. The govt. then used the "victory" for absolutely political gain and (according to many) rigged the general elections to ensure victory. The govt now proposes constitutional amendments that allows for a stronger executive presidency and has the 2/3 majority needed.

Here's an interesting tidbit ... the president's brother in law is the Sri lankan Ambassador to the US. The President's brother (the Defense minister) holds dual citizenship -- he is a naturalized US citizen : )

The opposition candidate (the general who spearheaded the offensive charge against the Tigers had also hinted that he will testify to an international tribunal) was promptly charged with all sorts of crimes against the govt. and imprisoned. He is still remains in prison.

As much as I hate what the Tamil Tigers & their supporters (even folks living in the U.S.) I equally hate what the present government did to get to where they are today.

[Marcus047]

07:13 PM on 05/17/2010

And the Tamil Tigers invented the suicide bombers - no small contribution to terrorists everywhere.

[goodmarina]

07:47 PM on 05/17/2010

Totally ... see the remainder of my post below.

What the government has engaged in will never justify what the Tigers did. They are evil -- pure and simple. What some of the Tamils living abroad did to contribute to this carnage is no less evil. I strongly advocate the arrest and prosecution of anyone funneling money to these types of causes.

This is so messed up ... and I sincerely feel for the average Sri Lanka (be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim or Bugher) who bear the brunt of all of this.

[goodmarina]

07:03 PM on 05/17/2010

I recall the beginning of this conflict in the late 70's ... there were some idealogical group comprised of a minority group (Tamil) who wanted their rights upheld. They proposed a separate nation. What unfolded was holy terror ... where child soldiers became the norm, low-wage earning soldiers were sacrified without second thought and propaganda became a way of life. Beyind the scenes, millions upon millions of dollars were being exchanged & made. The Tamils used this as an opporutnity to immigrate en masse to the UK, Canada, US and Austrailia. Ask a Canadian in Toronto what they have experienced.

Make no mistake ... this was a well funded terrorist attack against a government and a nation. Buddhist monks were shot while in prayer. Entire villages were burned to the ground. Buses would get blown up. No one should be familiar with black-outs and bomb sirens (I happend to be there during one of these instances). The cost of living shot through the roof as the government financed this war thru taxes. This was a ruthless group of terrorists who went as far as having one of their soldiers get pregnant, infiltrate her way into receiving prenatal care ... and according to plan, blew herself & her unborn baby up during a suicide bombing attack. This should tell u much about this group.

This war has also served several governments quite well -- creating personal wealth & more power. The largest defense contractor used to rent the ancestral home of

[WeCanDoMore]

12:18 AM on 05/18/2010

i had no idea. sounds just awful.

[chandran007]

04:09 PM on 05/18/2010

BS!

[VS007]

03:13 PM on 05/17/2010

The majority sinhalese claim to be budhists, but just not followers of budha.
Their human right violaiton is worse than Iran, Iraq.

[goodmarina]

06:17 PM on 05/17/2010

I think you are overstating & simplifying the situation by singling out one race. While it is true that Sri Lanka is majority Sinhalese, let's be fair ... the Tamil Tigers were mostly Hindu and there are plenty of Muslims & Christians. All religions call for peace ... all rules of decency are suspended where war & terrorism are concerned.

Killing is killing and it is ALWAYS wrong -- people from all races have died.

[blueskybigstar]

02:39 PM on 05/17/2010

When America does wrong, the rest of the world follows by example.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
MLK

[demsrsilly]

01:02 PM on 05/17/2010

Let me guess who the libs will blame for the US not doing anything to stop yet another genocide. Keep in mind this happened in 2009.

Reminds of 1994 and another genocide that a dem president ignored.

[lovefederer]

06:03 PM on 05/17/2010

Thousands of people were murdered and you're making this about Republicans & Democrats? In actuality, Obama pressured the LTTE to lay down their guns several times to no avail. It was the SL government that took matters into their own hands and attacked the green zone. But, in reference to another post below, SL doesn't have any resources that the rest of the world would want therefore, no one cares if a bunch of Sri Lankans die. It is NOT the responsibility of the US (dems or repubs) to referee this situation. It should be the UN but let's face it, they're wholely useless. Secondly, this situtaion is completely different to that of Sarajevo, 1994. The civil war in SL had been going on for 40+ years and NO ONE did anything until the SL govt made a very bad decision borne out of frustration and fear.

[goodmarina]

06:19 PM on 05/17/2010

I agree with your assessment.

No one cared because Sri Lanka does not have oil wells.

And even if anyone cares ... Sri Lanka (like many developing nations) has a very corrupt government. The lives of soldiers & civilians are very expendable.