UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has Mandate to Order Inquiry Into International Investigations

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam has from day one, called for an International Independent Investigation, a protection mechanism, and a referendum for the Tamils.

(NEW YORK) - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms.Navi Pillai stated that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has the mandate to order an inquiry into International Investigations. On the 17th of March the High Commissioner for Human Rights met with the NGO representatives and the civil society in the presence of members of her office.

In the questions specific to Sri Lanka whether her office could order an Independent Inquiry she said that her office enjoyed a mandate to order for an International Inquiry. This question was specifically asked as Sri Lanka and a few other countries have been repeatedly stating that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights did not enjoy the mandate to order an International Inquiry.

She explained that country’s were first given a fair chance to explore the possibilities of a credible domestic mechanism to investigate human rights violations. When country’s failed to deliver justice to the victims, her office could intervene and initiate an International Investigations. It was not just her office but the Secretary General of the UN too had the mandate.

On the issue of South Sudan it was the African Union which wanted her intervention and she had to oblige.

To recap the past, on February 18th when presenting a summary executive of her report which is to be presented by her on the 26th of March, she has recommended an Independent International Investigations in Sri Lanka.

She began her address by referring to the reprisal against human rights defenders. When a question was raised expressing concerns over the safety of Mr.Ruki Fernando and Fr.Pravin who were arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities, she said she was disturbed by the turn of events especially in circumstances when Sri Lanka was facing a resolution. She decried the use of the PTA and said she can’t imagine how far Sri Lanka can go.

Mr Manickavasagar, Minister for International affairs of The Transnational Government of Tamil (TGTE) said, It needs to be noted that on the first day of the 25th session of the UNHRC on 3rd March, Mr Ban Ki Moon the UN Secretary General and many Ambassadors praised her visit and welcomed the report by the High Commissioner on Sri Lanka. Her report needs to be translated into the 3rd resolution calling for an International Commission of Inquiry.

The GoSL had been given the time and space, and the opportunity in the last five years since the war ended, and noting the inability or unwillingness of the GoSL to implement their own LLRC, and two UNHRC resolutions, the time now is for action and implementation by the UNHRC.

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam has from day one, called for an International Independent Investigation, a protection mechanism, and a referendum for the Tamils in the Tamil Homeland and for the Tamil Diaspora to decide their future destination.