In November 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution that calls on the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to help the populations held in guarded camps to return to their homes. This follows a recent report by the U.S. State Department that compiled a list of incidents that allegedly occurred in the final stages of war, which may have violated international humanitarian law. Additionally, a September report by the European Union found that the violation of key international laws could lead to potential trade sanctions. Such strong statements against the GoSL indicate that international observers are watching the response of the authorities to Tamil populations after the end of the war.
The withdrawal of trade concessions worth tens of millions of dollars would devastate the Sri Lankan garment and fishing industries. However, it is unlikely that the Western governments will actually follow through with serious sanctions, given the recent approval of an economy-saving IMF loan. The reports and resolution demonstrate an interest in seeing serious efforts at reconciliation and reconstruction. Yet, it is unclear whether this will lead to any actual effort on the authorities in Sri Lanka. The GoSL's post-war expansion of the military does not suggest that they are necessarily focusing on the betterment of civil society. Rather, it shows Mahinda Rajapakse's campaign to capitalize on the population's support and further strengthen the current autocratic regime. With elections held two years early, in May 2010, Rajapakse has the opportunity to solidify his control on within the country and continue his brazen form of rule, which has been characterized by the politics of fear, the crushing of dissenting voices, and the silencing of civil society.<!--break-->
The State Department report is a catalog of unverified abuses by Sri Lankan forces and the Tamil Tigers based on reports from the American Embassy. It points to violations made on the part of both the Government and the LTTE. These include allegations of indiscriminate bombing by the military and the use of people as human shields by the LTTE. No accusations or conclusions are made, given that much of the information comes from secondary sources. However, the Obama administration has called on the Sri Lankan government to open closed areas to international scrutiny, to investigate the allegations and to bring to justice anyone responsible for atrocities. The EU report found "the present situation leads to the conclusion that rights of persons belonging to national minorities, in particular Tamil population from East and North parts of the country, have not been protected effectively. Those categories of people have been subjected to various forms of discrimination contrary to the country obligations under the ICCPR (International Convention on Civil and Political Rights). The principal problem posed by the general restrictions on freedom of movement in Sri Lanka is that they appear to be imposed and enforced in an arbitrary and disproportionate manner. In relation to the recently established camps, it must be recognized that the government does have legitimate security concerns. The screening of internally displaced persons in order to identify LTTE fighters is legitimate. The mass internment of the civilian population in the North is both arbitrary and disproportionate." The resolution passed in Congress, supports the EU Report findings, and seeks to turn over the operation of the camps to civilians, and allow NGOs access to the camps. The widespread reach of the LTTE into the civilian populations in the Vanni, were both voluntary and involuntary. Many combatants were recruited by force starting at the age of 13. For clear reasons, the government needs to verify that the people held in the camps are not a security threat to the rest of the country. However, the limitations of humanitarian assistance and international support do not really suggest that the GoSL is willing to allow their people to recover fully from the atrocities of the war.
Lanka Solidarity supports the release of such reports that seek further clarification on the abuses of the Government and the LTTE. Through such international pressure, the GoSL will understand that it will take time, resources, commitment, and trust to piece the country back together.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091105/wl_sthasia_afp/srilankaunrestustamilcongress_20091105061133
http://documents.nytimes.com/u-s-state-department-report-on-sri-lanka#p=4
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2009/10/091026_president_us.shtml
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