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Publication of Sri Lanka MAP Report – An Alternative Roadmap to Victims’ Justice

Sri Lanka Monitoring Accountability Panel

PRESS RELEASE: 9 November 2017

 PUBLICATION OF THEMATIC REPORT:

An Alternative Roadmap to Victims’ Justice

Today the Sri Lanka Monitoring Accountability Panel (‘MAP’) issues its Thematic Report: An Alternative Roadmap to Victims’ Justice.

The MAPs international legal experts provide an assessment of the transitional justice efforts by the Sri Lankan Government. The Thematic Report laments the failure of the Sri Lankan Government to make any credible progress in fulfilling its commitments under the October 2015 Resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka,’ despite the two year extension granted by the UN Human Rights Council.

Since the Sri Lanka Government has demonstrated a clear intention not to satisfy its legal obligations to victims of mass atrocities within its national courts, the report highlights the need to pursue alternative avenues of justice. As stated in the Report:

“It is now clear to all honest observes that (1) the international crimes committed in Sri Lanka were some of the most heinous anywhere in the world during this century and (2) there is no realistic prospect of those persons most responsible for the crimes being prosecuted in Sri Lanka’s national courts.”

Specifically, the Report encourages the use of ‘universal jurisdiction’, namely, the prosecution of Sri Lankan torturers and war criminals in third countries, such as Europe and America. In addition, the Report urges the UN Security Council to consider referring Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, and national authorities in Western states to impose targeted sanctions on individual Sri Lankan human rights abusers.

The MAP provides independent monitoring, advice, and recommendations, focusing on the effectiveness of accountability measures from a victims’ perspective. The views and recommendations of the Panel enable victims and other stakeholders to participate more effectively in the transitional justice processes. For more information, please visit: http://war-victims-map.org/

For media enquiries please contact:

Richard J Rogers – [email protected]

 

 

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MAP Experts Refer Sri Lanka To ICC, If It Continues To Act In Bad Faith

Richard J. Rogers and Andrew Ianuzzi represented the MAP at an event held during the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. During the presentation, the MAP recommended Sri Lanka be referred to the International Criminal Court if the government fails to implement Resolution A/HRC/30/L.29.

The presentation can be watched below:

Related Press:

http://www.ft.lk/article/600809/ft

https://www.colombotelegraph.com/index.php/international-hr-law-experts-refer-sri-lanka-to-icc

http://www.einnews.com/pr_news/367943918/failing-the-victims-an-expert-assessment-of-sri-lankan-government-s-transitional-justice-efforts-geneva-press-club

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Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms- Final Report, Volumes I and II

The Final Report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) was completed on November 2016.

Volume I of the Final Report contains the CTF’s observations during the consultation process, as well as their recommendations regarding the four transitional justice mechanisms: Office of Reparations; Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Non-Recurrence Commission; Office on Missing Persons; and Judicial Mechanism.

Volume II contains the reports of the Zonal Task Forces submitted to the CTF after the conclusion of public meetings and focus group discussions in the zones.

CTF Final Report- Volume I Nov ’16

CTF Final Report- Volume II Nov ’16

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Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms- Final Report, Executive Summary and Recommendations

The Final Report of the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF) was completed on November 2016. The Final Report contains the CTF’s observations and recommendations regarding the four transitional justice mechanisms proposed by the Government of Sri Lanka, as well as a summary of the submissions.

CTF Final Report- Executive Summary and Recommendations Nov ’16

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Is Sri Lanka living up to its commitment to UN Human Rights Council?

On 22 June 2016, during the 32nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council, legal experts from the Monitoring Accountability Panel (“MAP”) gave their assessment of the Sri Lankan Government’s transitional justice programme to date.

The panel discussion was chaired by eminent jurist, Geoffrey Robertson QC, and included a detailed assessment by US lawyer, Ms Heather Ryan. The full presentation can be found here:

Ms Heather Ryan’s intervention starts at 15:40, below: