New evidence of cluster bombs in Sri Lanka: UN must action

Fresh evidence that the Government of Sri Lanka used cluster bombs in Tamil civilian areas during the civil war in 2009 must not be ignored by the currently sitting UN Human Rights Council, said Australian Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon.

"This evidence is further proof of what survivors of the conflict spoke of seven years ago," said Senator Rhiannon.

"A recently published testimonial by Dr Varatharajah, a doctor working in the former conflict zone, also confirmed the use of cluster bombs on civilian populations.

"Last year Sri Lanka signed Resolution 30-1 at the UN Human Rights Council, agreeing to set up a judicial mechanism with the participation of Commonwealth and other foreign judges, defence lawyers and authorised prosecutors and investigators.

"Further, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights investigation on Sri Lanka (OISL) recommended that the Government of Sri Lanka accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

"The UN Human Rights Council must hold Sri Lanka to full implementation of its promises to the Council and ensure the full implementation of the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights," said Senator Rhiannon.

Dr Varatharajah's testimony: http://tamildiplomat.com/redefining-war-without-witness-experiences-working-inside-war/