War crimes in Sri Lanka: Jaya urged to convene all-party meeting

Indian PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday urged Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa to convene an all-party meeting to exert pressure on the Centre to bring out a resolution in the UNHRC, seeking international probe into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, the Times of India news agency reported. 

In a letter to Jayalalithaa, a copy of which was released to the media, the PMK leader demanded that the resolution of the all-party meeting be presented by the representatives of political parties to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

"With Modi being expected to return to India, after his US trip, on September 28, arrangements should be made on that day for a meeting with him. Sri Lankan Tamils will get justice only when parties in Tamil Nadu stand in unison and represent in one-voice," Anbumani said. 

In a 280-page inquiry report tabled in the UNHRC on September 16, the UN high commissioner for human rights listed a host of violations carried out by both sides -- Sri Lankan government and LTTE forces -- which included unlawful killing, systematic sexual and gender-based violence, and the recruitment of children and abduction of adults for use in fighting. The commissioner, Zeid Raad Al Hussein, called for formation of a hybrid special court to probe into the allegations. 

On the same day, the Tamil Nadu assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Union government to take necessary action to pass a resolution in the UNHRC for an international probe. The council is expected to discuss the subject on October 1 and 2. 

Ramadoss said the draft resolution of the United States would not bring justice to Sri Lankan Tamils. "When a consultative meeting on the draft resolution was held on September 21, a few countries like Pakistan suggested amendments favouring the Sri Lankan government. Indian representatives, however, remained mum. I hope you will accept this as a disgrace to Tamils," the PMK leader said.