HomeNewsPress Statements Press Release: Independent international investigation into Sri Lankan humanitarian crisis needed
Press Release: Independent international investigation into Sri Lankan humanitarian crisis needed
Contributed by Lim Chee Wee
Thursday, 28 May 2009 05:13pm
The Malaysian Bar expresses grave concern over the atrocities that were committed in Sri Lanka during the armed conflict, especially against civilians, and the alleged concomitant violations of international humanitarian law and of international human rights. There are allegations made that war crimes were committed during the final days of the armed conflict and that there was genocide against the Tamils that exceeded the horrors of Srebenica.
We are disappointed that the Malaysian Government voted in favour of the self-congratulatory United Nations Human Rights Council resolution put forward by Sri Lanka. This resolution praises Sri Lanka for its current policies and focuses solely on the alleged abuses committed by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, without addressing the allegations of long-standing and continuing violations of human rights by government forces.
We strongly urge the Malaysian Government to take a consistent position in its stand against human rights abuses abroad. That position must include a call for an “independent and credible international investigation into recent events” to “ascertain the occurrence, nature and scale of violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law, as well as specific responsibilities”, as recently articulated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay.
On 12 January 2009, the Malaysian Government moved a Parliamentary resolution to establish a UN-sponsored War Crimes Tribunal to investigate Israel’s attacks against Gaza. We urge the Government to take an equally strong stand in the case of Sri Lanka.
Sickening attitude/policy of This Government- the defining factor - muslims or non-muslims? written by Navaneetha Krishnan,
Saturday, July 11 2009 11:43 pm
If the victims of the atrocities by the savage armed forces of sri lanka had been muslims, it have been a different story altogether.This govt would have condemned their actions like they do in Gaza, rather than vote in favour of the SELF-congratulatory UNHR council resolution put forward by sri lanka itself. What a shameful n despicable attitude!
Write comment
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
2012 Bar Council Subscription Click the link above to download Circular 072/2012 pertaining to the 2012 Bar Council subscription, including the payment guide and a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.
2012 Hotel Corporate Rates Attending seminars? Going for a holiday? Click on the link above to check out the list of hotel corporate rates for Members of the Bar, which is updated regularly.
Bar Council Bookshop Read MORE … but pay LE$$! Members enjoy a 20% discount on LexisNexis publications at the Bar Council Bookshop. Click on the link above for the list of available titles.
International Malaysia Law Conference (26 to 28 Sept 2012) Hurry up! The countdown continues and the current promotion rate ends 30 June 2012. Don't miss what is going to be the best conference in the region! On top of that, if you sign up with 5 or more people from the same organisation, we will give you a 10% group discount. Click on the link above to register.
Talk on Summary Judgement (25 May 2012) Organised by the Selangor Bar Committee, this talk will take place at 5:00 pm, at the Selangor Bar Committee Auditorium, on 25 May 2012 (Friday). The talk will be conducted by Ramesh Supramanian. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on Tax Issues in Financial Transactions (25 May 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this seminar, featuring S Saravana Kumar, will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 25 May 2012 (Friday). Click on the link above for more details.
Dialogue with Criminal Law Practitioners (26 May 2012) Organised by Bar Council, this dialogue will take place at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, at the Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 26 May 2012 (Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
Conference on Competition Law (31 May 2012) Organised by Bar Council with the support of LexisNexis, this conference will take place at 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, at Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel, on 31 May 2012 (Thursday). For more details or to register, please contact Vilashini Vijayan (03-2050 2095; vila@malaysianbar.org.my). Click on the link above for more details.
Talk on What Clients Want (7 June 2012) Organised by the KL Bar Practitioners' Affairs Committee, the talk, presented by Ong Eu Jin, will take place at 5:00 pm, at the KL Bar Auditorium, on 7 June 2012 (Thursday). Click on the link above for more details.
4th LAWASIA Family Law Conference, Penang (13 and 14 July 2012) Supported by Penang Bar Committee and the Malaysian Bar, this conference, themed “The New Global Family: Emerging Trends and Challenges to Family Practice”, will take place at Traders Hotel, Penang, on 13 and 14 July 2012 (Friday and Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
News 
The Malaysian Bar expresses grave concern over the atrocities that were committed in Sri Lanka during the armed conflict, especially against civilians, and the alleged concomitant violations of international humanitarian law and of international human rights. There are allegations made that war crimes were committed during the final days of the armed conflict and that there was genocide against the Tamils that exceeded the horrors of Srebenica. 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Circular No 109/2012: Be a Part of the Bar Council Constitutional Law Committee
If the victims of the atrocities by the savage armed forces of sri lanka had been muslims, it have been a different story
altogether.This govt would have condemned their actions like they do in Gaza, rather than vote in favour of the SELF-congratulatory UNHR council resolution put forward by sri lanka itself. What a shameful n despicable attitude!