Friday, February 25, 2011

Crafting own 'International Law' to give cover for despots - Say no to Kohona

"Accountability for Violations of International Humanitarian Law in Counter Insurgency" - Basically there is no such thing as "International Law" applicable for any of the the guises Sri Lanka uses for atrocities and subjugation on Tamils, is the official policy of Sri Lanka. Also, this is what Sri Lanka's UN Ambassador told the world on Feb 24th, 2011 at a Harvard University Seminar.

Ambassador Palitha Kohona and his deputy General Shavendra de Silva are in the international arena with all the fig leaves for Sri Lanka to dodge independent international war crimes investigations.

As agents of authoritarian and chauvinistic regime of Sri Lanka - The UN Mission of Sri Lanka continues to go on a vicious campaign against international laws, democracy and humanitarian norms. Ambassador Palaitha Kohona's campaign in the UN and USA is to justify the breaking of humanitarian norms by every despotic regime around the world, by sighting their own "triumph" in converting UN impasses to buy time and carry on with anti humanitarian activities.

Sri Lanka's intentions in using academic panels for these purposes are loud and clear.

It will not mention the six decades of Tamil and minority subjugation under various fig leaf to carry on a despotic rule over the minority population; from disenfranchisement, pogroms enforced disappearances and continuing scorched earth tactics are not new in Sri Lanka.

The brutal military onslaught on civilians after providing them with 'no -fire zones' and murdering surrendering women and children will not be mentioned by Ambassador Palitha Kohona anytime.

On Feb 25th, 2011, British Prime Minister David Cameron said "No one is beyond the reach of international law", referring to atrocities of Libyan tyrant Qdaffi on his own people.

However, Ambassador Palitha Kohona is crisscrossing as the point person in the international arena, showing off to other despots on what could be accomplished by hoodwinking the international community.

Ambassador Palitha Kohona is professes on the cover and courage for other despots to continue a horrendous path for democracy and human rights and international law, and it is clear many of these tyrants have been meeting each other to over joy triumphalism over masses, be it citizens of a whole country or an oppressed minority.

"Sri Lanka Wants to Export War Crimes" - Institutions should not become a ground for the Sri Lankan government to do just more cover ups of international human rights violations.



Sri Lanka President, dodging international community along with Col. Muammar Gaddafi in 2009

According to Columnist Nick Kristof

"....other despots may be encouraged to follow Colonel Qaddafi's example. We need to make very sure that the international reaction is so strong — and the scorched-earth strategy so unsuccessful — that no other despot is tempted to declare war on his own people..."

But the precedent was already set by Sri Lanka and its covering up point person in UN , Ambassador Palitha Kohona, in what Nick Kristof mentions on Feb 24, 2011.

According to Louise Arbour, head of the International Crisis Group (ICG), 'the Sri Lanka model consisted "scorched-earth tactics"' - and ICG has rejected the internal no accountability mechanisms of Sri Lanka.

Humble appeal, please do not fall for the lies of Sri Lankan chauvinist supporters and campaigners; a discussion consisting only of panelists who are likely to represent policies of chauvinistic Sri Lankan regime will serve to justify violating international laws and strengthen the set precedent for other despots and authoritarian rulers.

Thank you,

JADE ~ Justice, Accountability & Democracy Endeavor

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/NotoKohona

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Accountability for Violations of IHL in Counterinsurgency: The Case of Sri Lanka

This Live Seminar examined mechanisms and strategies to promote accountability for IHL violations committed during counterinsurgencies, focusing on the case of Sri Lanka. Against the backdrop of domestic and international efforts to address IHL violations committed during the counterinsurgency in Sri Lanka, this Live Seminar addressed the following questions:

What aspects, if any, of counterinsurgency doctrine have the potential to affect adherence to IHL principles?

What accountability mechanisms—judicial or otherwise—exist regarding IHL violations committed during non-international armed conflicts?

What accountability mechanisms are currently being implemented, and what potential mechanisms are under consideration?

What legal and political challenges arise in the context of multiple, simultaneous accountability mechanisms aimed at addressing the same counterinsurgency situation?
What role, if any, should humanitarian actors play in promoting adherence to international norms in counterinsurgency situations?

These questions will be examined by reference to the situation in Sri Lanka. [Click to listen in full ~ Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research - Harvard University]

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Palitha Kohona, was the international face of the Sri Lankan government could face International Criminal Court

AN AUSTRALIAN citizen and senior Sri Lankan diplomat has been accused of complicity in the murders of three surrendering Tamil Tigers in an application to the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands.

The man, Palitha Kohona, was the international face of the Sri Lankan government's war with separatist militants, the Tamil Tigers, and played an important role in the surrender of Tamil Tiger soldiers following their defeat in May 2009. [The Sydney Morning Herald]