In August, a video was released reportedly showing Sri Lankan soldiers executing bound and blindfolded Tamils during the last weeks of that country’s long civil war. Last month, the U.N. special investigator on extra-judicial killings declared that the videos are likely authentic and has called on the Sri Lankan government to conduct its own investigation:
“In light of the persistent flow of other allegations of extra-judicial executions committed by both sides during the closing phases of war against the LTTE, I call for an independent inquiry to be established to carry out an impartial investigation into war crimes and other grave violations of international humanitarian and human rights law allegedly committed in Sri Lanka”
The video tape is the latest in a string of allegations of human rights abuses by the Sri Lankan military during the end and immediate aftermath of the civil war. The most prominent event was the forced detainment of thousands of ethnic Tamil civilians in camps, often with little food, security or access to health care. Not that the rebels can claim the moral high ground either; during the final government offensive LTTE herded thousands of civilians into the battleground to use as human shields. Still, the allegations have tainted an otherwise undisputed victory against the Tamil rebel group. Given the scope of the alleged abuses, history might well remember the brutal means used by both sides in the war more than the end result.
Christopher R. Albon is a Ph.D. candidate specializing in armed conflict, public health, human security, and health diplomacy.
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