Asian Human Rights Commission

[Ed. Note: This statement was issued on Sept. 6, 2002.]

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to express hope that the peace process in Sri Lanka will continue to progress. From the point of view of the overall impact of the peace process, AHRC welcomes the new peace initiative and the moves that have been taken to de-escalate the war. These new initiatives put enormous pressure on all parties to live up to international norms, standards and agreements that have been made in order to respect democracy and the settlement of the dispute in a peaceful manner.

From the point of view of the political rights of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka, the new context should provide a greater opportunity for fair competition regarding their political destiny. The concern of all human rights organisations is that the rights of all people, including all Tamils, are fully respected. The fundamental principle that arises is respect for the principle of dissent in the North as well as in the South. Had this principle been respected in the past, perhaps the civil conflict that emerged would never have happened.

The principle of respect for dissent was not respected though, not only for people in the North, but also in the South. The ruthless violence that has been unleashed through the use of the law enforcement agencies, both in the South and in the North, has given rise to an enormous number of extrajudicial killings, tens of thousands of involuntary and enforced disappearances and torture as a routine practice. The initiator of ruthless violence in Sri Lanka was the State. This, of course, in no way excuses others who took the path of violence. AHRC condemns state terrorism as well as all other forms of terrorism.

It is difficult for a country to return to a peaceful path of democratisation given this violent past. But violence must be abandoned, and active and aggressive democratisation must begin. If the PEOPLE pursue democracy aggressively, the room for violence will be reduced.

The reform of the law enforcement agencies remains at the core of the struggle for democracy in Sri Lanka. The use of law enforcement agencies to abuse the basic norms of human rights has brought about a sad situation where the people no longer trust these agencies. The collapse of the policing system is well known to everyone, including the police authorities themselves.

Accountability for the past crimes against humanity and war crimes remain to be dealt with within the framework of the rule of law. All of the parties who have committed these crimes need to be brought within the scrutiny of law internationally and nationally. That the past must never be repeated again should be the consideration of the people at this time. People have paid a great price for the failure of the political leaders to take all steps necessary to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. The agony of the last few decades should remain in the minds of all Sri Lankans forever. The lessons of these painful and tragic decades have been that violence does not pay, that violence destroys everyone, that violence destroys the economy. If these lessons are understood, peace can become a reality in Sri Lanka.

AHRC hopes that the PEOPLE will take the initiative for peace. The politicians can be controlled only when people themselves make peace their agenda and respect for their rights. This will then help ensure that peace prevails for the children of Sri Lanka. AHRC wishes everyone in Sri Lanka the beginning of a new era!