TN urges Centre to seek international probe into 'war crimes' in Sri Lanka

In a resolution adopted in Assembly, TN sought diplomatic efforts by Centre to change any possible pro-Sri Lanka stand adopted by US in the UN rights body.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said that India itself should move a "strong resolution" at the UNHRC. File photo

The Tamil Nadu Assembly on Wednesday unanimously asked the Centre to move a “strong resolution” in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international probe into the alleged war crimes and genocide in the final phase of the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urged the Centre to move a resolution along with United States and other countries at the UNHRC for the international probe against all the perpetrators of the human rights violations and those responsible for the genocide.

“In case, the United States takes a pro-Lankan stand, India should take diplomatic efforts to change that,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said to the unanimous approval of the members in the House.

Moving the resolution, the Chief Minister said that the UNHRC will hold its sessions between September 14 and October 2. On September 30, there will be a debate on the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights -Promoting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.

It has been proposed take action based on the draft agreement on October 1 and 2, she said. Meanwhile, media reports suggested that the Sri Lankan government’s views had been sought on the report. In such a situation, there are apprehensions that a resolution favouring “internal inquiry” by the Sri Lankan government could be moved in the UNHRC. “It is against natural justice. India has a great responsibility to stop it,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

It was in this context it was decided to unanimously pass a resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly urging the Centre to take steps through the UNHRC for an international probe, she explained.

The Chief Minister also recalled the earlier resolutions moved by her in the Assembly urging India not to treat Sri Lanka as a “friendly nation” and impose “economic sanctions” on the island nation for its war crimes.

Another resolution had demanded that India boycott a meeting of Heads of Commonwealth nations held in Sri Lanka in 2013, besides insisting on the non-participation of Sri Lankan players and officials in IPL matches in Chennai. “BCCI agreed and is following it till now,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said, hailing it as a victory for her government to the loud thumping of desks by the ruling partymen.