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 post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
2013 Bar Council subscription Click the link above to download Circular 090/2013 pertaining to the 2013 Bar Council subscription, including the payment guide and a set of Frequently-Asked-Questions.
2013 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.
Starting a new Practice If you are thinking of setting up your own law practice, click on the link above to view Bar Council's information and checklists to help you prepare for your new endeavour.
Risk Management for Staff Workshop, Kuala Lumpur (20 June 2013) Organised by the Bar Council Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee, this workshop will be held at 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 20 June 2013 (Thursday). The workshop carries seven CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Seminar on Judicial Review 101 (20 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this session by Shanmuga Kanesalingam will be held at 3:00 pm, at Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, 10th Floor, Wisma Kraftangan, on 20 June 2013 (Thursday). The seminar carries two CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Strategic Litigation Camp (21 to 23 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Young Lawyers Committee and the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, this event will be held at the Firefly Park Resort, Kuala Selangor, from 21 to 23 June 2013 (Friday to Sunday). Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Luncheon: Feast with the Giants of the Bar (22 June 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Pupils Welfare Committee and Young Lawyers Committee, this event will be held at 12:00 noon, at The Smokehouse Restaurant, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, on 22 June 2013 (Saturday). Click on the link above for more details.
The Legacy Series | Gopal Sri Ram Lectures (June and July 2013) Organised by the Bar Council Professional Standards and Development Committee, these lectures by Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram will be held at 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 24 June 2013 (Monday), and 9, 16 and 23 July 2013 (Tuesdays). The lectures carry two CPD points each. Click on the link above for more details.
Kuala Lumpur Bar Seminar on the Torrens System and Equitable Principles (2 July 2013) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this session by SY Kok will be held at 3:00 pm, at Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, Wisma Kraftangan, on 2 July 2013 (Tuesday). The seminar carries two CPD points. Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on Medical Disability and the Assessment of Damages (6 and 7 July 2013) Co-organised by Malaysian Occupational Therapy Association, Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society and Perdana University, in collaboration with Bar Council, this seminar will be held at Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, on 6 and 7 July 2013 (Saturday and Sunday). The seminar carries 10 CPD points. 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 140/2013: Invitation to Public Forum | Environmental Issues in Malaysia
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!