Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has responded to the statement made by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, stating that the party is deeply disappointed by the government’s response.
The ITAK criticised the government’s failure to fulfil promises on accountability and reconciliation, highlighting the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) despite assurances of repeal.
The statement also noted the lack of progress on the Online Safety Act, and resistance to international involvement in accountability efforts. ITAK also condemned delays in provincial council elections and called for immediate support for a private member’s bill to restore the franchise of Tamil-speaking communities in the North and East.
Full statement
We refer to the statement made by Hon. Vijitha Herath at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council. At the outset, we must record our deep disappointment on the government’s response to several pressing issues of accountability and reconciliation that are still outstanding.
This government came into office holding out several promises. However, one full year after the President was elected, we are yet to see even the beginnings of those promises being fulfilled.
Although the minister states that strengthening national unity and reconciliation is integral to the development of the country, not even the low hanging fruits have been harvested. Despite several assurances, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is yet to be repealed.
It is a matter of regret that having taken a firm position not to enact any new law to replace the PTA, the Minister now says that a new counter terrorism legislation would be introduced. PTA is continued to be used despite calls and assurances for a moratorium on its use until its repeal. Similarly, no steps have been taken to repeal the Online Safety Act. The minister’s statement that external action will serve to create divisions and jeopardize national processes is hugely problematic, so is his opposition to the Sri Lanka Accountability Project.
A decade and a half after the conclusion of the armed conflict, there has been no internal mechanism for accountability whatsoever. It is in this background; it is only natural for the victims to look for international involvement. The minister makes no reference to the uncovering of clear evidence genocidal intent at Chemmani, Jaffna where 240 skeletal remains have been found, most probably as a result of extra-judicial killing. It is a known fact that no local expertise is available for the identification of these victims.
Even so, the government has not called for international assistance in this regard or in respect of many other cases of mass graves and enforced disappearances.
We note and thank the government of India for reiterating the call for meaningful devolution and their support to the aspiration of the Tamil community for equality, justice, dignity and peace. India has also called for the early conduct of Provincial Council elections and meaningful devolution of powers.
The Government of Sri Lanka on the other hand in their written response, taken the position that the Provincial Council elections will be held after the delimitation process is over. This is a recipe to delay the Provincial Council election by at least several years. The government is breaching its promise to the Tamil speaking peoples of the North and East by unduly denying their franchise.
The government must immediately give its ascent to the private member’s bill moved by our member of Parliament Hon. Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and facilitate the holding of provincial council elections immediately. (Newswire)
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