Hurdles for international Sri Lanka ‘war crimes’ inquiry
Next week, the UN panel looking at alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka finishes gathering evidence – but it is difficult to see how any international inquiry could operate there, writes Ben De Pear.
They are in the evidence gathering stage until 15 December, when they will begin to compile their report.
Evidence
That panel is now thought to have gathered a great deal of evidence especially photographs and videos. The evidence, such as there is out on the internet, contains many photos and videos seeming to depict or describe sexual violence and killings.
Leading war crimes lawyer Julian Knowles told Channel 4 News the video, and details gathered around it on the potential identity of one of the victims as well as the date and location, was “astonishing evidence”.
However, with the Sri Lankan government insistent that its own – much criticised – inquiry will do the job of any outside and independent body looking into possible war crimes, and having prevented all UN investigators from visiting the country for the past five years, even if a tribunal or inquiry is established, it’s hard to imagine how it would operate in the country.