New York Times editorial on Sri Lanka
The New York Times published an editorial today - “Monitoring a Little-Noticed War” - calling attention to the importance of establishing an international human rights monitoring presence in Sri Lanka.
. . . A Buddhist-led government battling a Hindu separatist group in a land with no oil draws little international interest — and no pressure on either side to end such horrors. Hoping to change that, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Louise Arbour, called last month for international human rights monitors to be sent to Sri Lanka. All countries with influence, starting with the United States and Japan, should push the Sri Lankan government to agree.
Colombo is eager for international aid and support in its fight against the Tamil Tigers. With U.N. rights monitors bearing witness, the government may feel pressure to rein in army and police abuses. Monitors could also bolster the country’s weak judicial system, which barely investigates crimes against Tamil civilians. The guerrillas, who count the forced recruitment of child soldiers among their crimes, are less vulnerable to international shame. But shining a spotlight might help persuade overseas Tamils to choke off funding.
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 |
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