The report highlighted the urgent need for an international investigation under the following circumstances: “The case of genocide in Sri Lanka is unique among genocides in history because it occurred over several decades and under different governments before intensifying into a no-holds-barred war for nearly three decades and culminating in the mass atrocities of 2009. It is accordingly vital that Sri Lanka’s historic violations against Tamils, in addition to the 2009 attacks, are addressed through an international mechanism in order to combat Sri Lanka’s institutionalized impunity. This international intervention, coupled with action to promote the respect of human rights, is necessary to ensure a sustainable future for self-determination, peace, and justice, in Sri Lanka and for the Tamil people.”
After passing the resolution the Chief Minister of the Northern Province, Justice C V Wigneswaran, pronounced, “It is my hope that this Resolution would not be considered as an epistle to the International Community only, unrelated to the life of my Sinhalese brothers and sisters. This Resolution is a challenge to your moral integrity and humaneness. If you could assimilate what brutality and inconsiderateness has preceded you or bypassed you so far, may be chances for moral regeneration and a more healthier cooperative and co-ordinated life style for the future of all people living in this blessed Isle could be ensured.”
BTF commends the Chief Minister and the members of the Northern Provincial Council for passing this historic resolution. BTF believes it strengthens declarations by UK parliamentarians at the recent APPGT-BTF annual dinner that genocide has occurred in Sri Lanka. BTF also hopes that this resolution will strengthen the UK government’s support for an international independent investigation, particularly one that investigates all crimes – including the crime of genocide – that the Tamil people believe they have suffered.
BTF calls upon the UK government to take immediate diplomatic initiatives to ensure that the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to delay and derail the international investigation are defeated. Furthermore, as called for by the NPC resolution, BTF calls upon the UK government to take immediate diplomatic measures to refer the Sri Lankan case to the International Criminal Court so that the perpetrators of genocide and crimes against humanity are brought to justice. (Tamils Forum)