"By requesting a report from a panel of experts and making it public, [UN Secretary General] Ban Ki-moon has taken a crucial step towards justice for the thousands of civilians who suffered abuses by the Sri Lankan government and Tamil Tigers during the war.
"Ban should now follow the panel's advice and set up an independent international mechanism that will investigate alleged violations. It should name names and lay the groundwork for international prosecutions."
- Philippe Bolopion, Human Rights Watch’s UN Director. See his comments to The Independent here.
"Sadly, the Sri Lankan government's immediate dismissal of the report as biased demonstrates that there is no chance of a serious domestic justice process.
"The only hope for victims of the conflict is an international investigation leading to prosecutions. Ban should lose no time in setting one up."
- Brad Adams, executive director of HRW’s Asia Division. See HRW's statement here.
