Amnesty International has called for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to press visiting Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister GL Peiris to address past and continuing human rights abuses and accountability issues.
Head of Amnesty’s Washington DC office, Frank Januzzi, said in a statement released on Friday that the international community cannot wait while the government ‘makes empty promises’ and that an independent international investigation should be established immediately.
"Secretary Clinton should use this meeting to follow up on her decisive action during the March session of the United Nation's Human Rights Council to press the Sri Lankan government on accountability for abuses committed during its 30-year internal conflict." he said.
"Sri Lankan authorities have stated that they would conduct an internal investigation into the abuses, yet they continue to dither, refusing to bring those accountable to justice.
"The international community cannot wait while the Sri Lankan government makes empty promises amid smoke and mirrors. It must establish an independent international investigation immediately. Only then will victims have a real chance at realizing their right to truth, justice and reparations."
