Sri Lanka dispatches more 'peacekeepers' to Lebanon

by Rukshana
Apr 5, 2024

Sri Lanka has dispatched another contingent of the Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) on a "peacekeeping" mission under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) even though Sri Lanka's military stands accused of human rights violations both at home and abroad. 

The Lebanon-bound contingent comprises 125 Army personnel, including 11 Officers and 114 Other Ranks from the Corps and Regiments of the Army. The departure of this contingent follows the Advance Party of the 15th SLFPC, consisting of 12 Army personnel that proceeded for the UN mission in the first stage last month (Mar 09).

Sri Lanka's military continue to be deployed on UN peacekeeping missions although Sri Lankan peacekeepers were implicated in a child sex ring in Haiti in 2007. Sri Lankan troops were accused of exchanging food and money for sex with girls and boys as young as 12. While most of the accused were repatriated, none have been criminally prosecuted.

The Sri Lankan army also stands credibly accused of committing war crimes during the final phase of the armed conflict in 2009 in which the military slaughtered tens of thousands of Tamils trapped in No Fire Zones. The military are responsible for summary executions, shelling of hospitals and food lines, white phosphorous against the civilian population, rape, and sexual violence as well as enforced disappearances. 

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has called for the suspension of all Sri Lankan peacekeepers following the release of the UN human rights commissioners report. The report highlighted that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, which is responsible for the vetting of Sri Lankan troops, has been "politicised and its independence undermined by the appointment of a former Government minister as its chairperson" the ITJP stated in a press release.

 

 

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