Brussels – European Union foreign ministers Monday called for an independent inquiry into alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka, amid deep concern about the plight of civilians caught up in the government’s anti-rebel onslaught.
‘The EU calls for the alleged violations (of international humanitarian and human rights law) to be investigated through an independent inquiry. Those accountable must be brought to justice,’ ministers said in a joint statement.
The council conclusions were prepared well before reports reached Brussels that the leader of the Tamil rebels, Velupillai Prabhakaran, had been killed by the army in a likely conclusive blow to the separatists.
Prabhakaran’s deputy, Pottu Ammna, the separatist rebels’ intelligence chief, as well as Sooai, leader of their naval unit, also were killed, state-run television reported.
Ahead of their talks in the Belgian capital, EU ministers stressed their concern at the plight of scores of civilians who have been forced to flee rebel-held areas.
‘Right now, what we need to do is make sure that all the humanitarian aid gets through to the area,’ said Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb.
The EU’s external affairs commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, expressed relief that ‘the heaviest fighting appears to be over’, but urged the sides to ensure that the United Nations ‘can have full access’ to Sri Lanka.
And while an international enquiry would eventually be needed, ministers called on both the government and on the rebels to stop fighting and sit around a table to work towards a ‘comprehensive and political process.’
There is a ‘crying need for an inclusive political settlement. The tens of thousands of innocent Tamil citizens want to be Sri Lankan citizens of equal rights and equal value,’ said British Foreign Secretary David Miliband.
Britain’s foreign minister also described the alleged human rights abuses committed by both sides in the fighting as ‘serious and credible’.
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