Amnesty International indicated that the self-critical United Nations report, released yesterday, further authenticates calls for an independent international investigation into war crimes in Sri Lanka.
The report of the UN Secretary-General’s Internal Review Panel on focuses on the UN’s failures during a period of conflict in Sri Lanka where effective UN action might have prevented some of the worst human rights violations to be witnessed in modern society.
The report detailed how the United Nations suppressed information and humanitarian law violations, particularly those committed by Sri Lankan forces.
Head of amnesty International’s UN New York office, Jose Luis Diaz, commented on the report, stating,
“Unfortunately this report confirms the many troubling allegations of UN failings we have heard since the May 2009 end of conflict.”
“We hope that the report’s strong findings will help improve the way the UN and the international community protect civilians in times of conflict and reform errant relief systems.”
“The report is also a wake-up call for UN member states that have not pushed hard enough for an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes committed by both Sri Lankan government’s lack of will to protect civilians or account for very serious violations. There is no evidence that has changed”
