GENEVA: The UN human rights chief has called for an International Criminal Court investigation into Sri Lanka’s Tamil separatist conflict and sanctions on military officials accused of war crimes, according to a report obtained by AFP. Michelle Bachelet accused Sri Lanka of reneging on promises to ensure justice for thousands of civilians killed in the final stages of the 37-year separatist war that ended a decade ago. The government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has reversed some advances made under previous administrations in protecting human rights, the report said. Sri Lanka has not signed up to the ICC, and so it is outside its jurisdiction. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last week said Sri Lanka would investigate some allegations.

Source: The Nation January 27, 2021 09:56 UTC