GLOBAL TAMIL FORUM

'Implementing resolution and OISL report will be real test of progress' - GTF

The Global Tamil Forum cautiously welcomed the tabled UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, stating that it is of the view it will lead to “a credible accountability process with substantial international involvement”.

“The GTF has consistently called for an international accountability mechanism, and though the tabled resolution falls short, still we view that the proposed resolution can lead to a credible accountability process with substantial international involvement,” said the GTF.

“We note that implementing the resolution and the recommendations of the OISL report of the High Commissioner will be the real test of progress, and not merely words,” it added. “Victims of Sri Lanka’s brutality have heard far too many words, and now deserve credible actions.”

See the full text of the statement below

The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) cautiously welcomes the draft resolution on

Sri Lanka tabled at the UN Human Rights Council on 24th September, which
Sri Lanka is widely expected to co-sponsor.

The text is a product of a consensus endorsement including Government of
Sri Lanka, and reflects the sometimes competing interests of a wide range
of stakeholders. The GTF has consistently called for an international
accountability mechanism, and though the tabled resolution falls short,
still we view that the proposed resolution can lead to a credible
accountability process with substantial international involvement. GTF has
always called the investigations to be against the allegations on both
sides of the conflict.

While welcoming the government’s commitments, we note that implementing the
resolution and the recommendations of the OISL report of the High
Commissioner will be the real test of progress, and not merely words.
Victims of Sri Lanka’s brutality have heard far too many words, and now
deserve credible actions. The draft resolution gives the Government of Sri
Lanka the opportunity to achieve that goal.

The GTF has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders on many issues of
concern to the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, including governments all over
the world, and more recently, even the new Government of Sri Lanka. We
believe our continuous efforts have contributed to the outcomes of this
week. In this regard, we wish to place on record our very sincere gratitude
to Her Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom, the Government of the
United States of America, other European countries who worked hard for this
outcome, all co-sponsors of the resolution and close friends within and
outside Sri Lanka who helped drive the progress on accountability. We stand
in solidarity with all those who fight for justice in Sri Lanka and outside,
 and hope that this week’s result will be a step in the right direction.

Victims of heinous crimes alleged to have been committed by both sides have
waited for over six years for this process to reveal the truth and justice
to be served. They sincerely hope that all stakeholders of this process
including the international community will not let them down.

We would like to reaffirm GTF's strong commitment to ensure that this
process will lead to true accountability and closure to all victims.

Tamil Guardian