[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 145 (Thursday, September 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1731]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             ACCOUNTABILITY IN SRI LANKA FOR LASTING PEACE

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                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2011

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my concerns about the 
current reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka and my hope for a lasting 
peace for all of its people. This past May marked the second 
anniversary of the end to the Sri Lankan civil war between the 
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, LTTE, and the government forces. This 
tragic war lasted a quarter century and undoubtedly weighed heavily on 
all Sri Lankans, including an entire generation of young adults that 
has only known war until two years ago. Peace was achieved, but for how 
long?
  In order to help achieve a lasting peace, the burdens of the civil 
war must be lifted and the root causes of the conflict must be 
addressed. For these reasons, I commend the government of Sri Lanka for 
making commitments to address the needs of all ethnic groups. It has 
also recognized that a political settlement and reconciliation among 
all ethnic groups is necessary for any chance of a peaceful and just 
society. The Sri Lankan government's inquiry, Lessons Learnt and 
Reconciliation Commission, LLRC, was created as a primary mechanism for 
the reconciliation process as it investigates allegations of war crimes 
and crimes against humanity committed by both opposing forces during 
the civil war. The LLRC will not succeed, however, if it fails to gain 
the trust of the people for which it is trying to provide justice. Both 
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have criticized the LLRC 
for failing to provide any accountability for atrocities that are 
alleged to have taken place. Further, the recently released United 
Nations' ``Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on 
Accountability in Sri Lanka'' determined that the allegations are 
credible and recommends an independent international mechanism to 
investigate these allegations and provide accountability.
  I have faith in the government of Sri Lanka to provide for the 
peaceful well-being of all its people. To achieve this noble goal, 
however, the Sri Lankan people must also have faith in their government 
and fellow citizens. Too many questions remain unanswered. Too many 
suspicions can reseed conflict. I appeal to the government of Sri Lanka 
to follow its commitments to addressing the needs of all ethnic groups 
and embrace the recommendations of the U.N. report. Only a trusted 
accountability mechanism will relieve the tensions of distrust hardened 
by war and lay a clean foundation for sustainable peace for Sri Lanka 
and all its people.

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