Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a resolution on Monday that calls for an independent investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka and urges the Sri Lankan government to recognize media freedoms.
The senators introduced the bipartisan resolution ahead of the approaching United Nations Human Rights Council. The resolution addresses alleged war crimes committed toward the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009.
“This resolution calls for the establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism that would hold responsible those who have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Burr said. “I believe ensuring a lasting peace in Sri Lanka is in the interest of the Sri Lankan people, the United States and the broader international community.”
Sri Lanka’s government established the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission to determine if persons or groups bear responsibility for alleged war crimes.
The LLRC gave constructive recommendations on an array of issues, such as credible investigation into alleged killings, disappearances and targeting of non-combatants. Sri Lanka implemented 82 of the LLRC’s 285 recommendations and has not addressed issues of reconciliation and accountability throughout the process.
“Four years since the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka, there has yet to be real progress made on reconciliation and accountability through domestic processes,” Casey said. “Human rights violations continue, and the Sri Lankan government has failed to bring to justice the perpetrators of attacks against journalists, religious and ethnic minorities and opposition politicians. As the March session of the UNHRC approaches, I believe another UNHRC resolution is warranted.”