US urges Sri Lanka to investigate human rights abuses

Oct 22, 2009, 19:12 GMT

Washington - The United States has called on Sri Lanka to investigate possible human rights abuses or war crimes that took place in the final months of a civil war.

US State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters Thursday that a credible investigation along with trying those who committed crimes was essential for repairing wounds after 25 years of conflict.

'We believe strongly that a very important part of any reconciliation process is accountability,' Kelly said.

The State Department released a report on Thursday summarizing potential abuses that occurred from January through May, when the government intensified its campaign and ultimately defeated the Tamil Tiger rebels.

The document, complied through media report and accounts provided by the US embassy and international organizations, points to allegations the government killed members of the Tamil Tigers who were seeking to surrender in the closing days of the fighting.

It also citing information that the government shelled into no- fire zones and that forces abducted Tamils and killed them - in some cases children. At the same time, the State Department also pointed to allegations the Tamil Tigers forced children into their ranks of fighters and used civilians as human shields.

The Sri Lankan government, which received a copy of the report before it was made public Thursday, criticized its findings and said it would make it harder to move toward reconciliation.

   'These interests hope to fan, once again, the flames of secessionism and to undo the concerted efforts of the government and people of Sri Lanka for rehabilitation and national reconciliation,' the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said. 'The people of Sri Lanka, therefore, have every reason to be concerned that this report to the US Congress may be abused for a similar end.'

The US Congress had instructed the State Department to issue a report on any possible atrocities during the final months of fighting. The Tamil Tigers, also known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), have been on the State Department's list of terrorist organizations since 1997.