Human Rights Groups Welcome Removal of Alleged War Criminal Silva from U.N. Peacekeeping Group

By pearlaction | February 23, 2012 |

[SPEAK] Human rights groups welcome the announcement that Shavendra Silva—a former military general in the Sri Lankan army who stands accused of extrajudicial killing and torture—has been removed from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kimoon’s Special Advisory Group on Peacekeeping Operations. In a press statement released on February 22, Louise Fréchette, the Chair of the Special Advisory Group, stated that…

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Sri Lanka: Army Inquiry a Delaying Tactic

By pearlaction | February 15, 2012 |

[Human Rights Watch] The Sri Lankan army’s announcement that it had appointed a five-member court of inquiry to investigate allegations that its forces committed serious violations of the laws of war appears to be another government delaying tactic in the face of mounting international pressure, Human Rights Watch said today. [Full Story]

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Kevin Rudd must up the ante on Sri Lanka

By pearlaction | February 2, 2012 |

[Human Rights Watch] As nations such as Canada and Britain weigh in on accountability for war crimes in Sri Lanka, it’s time for Australia to add its voice. After all, promoting human rights is a crucial part of foreign policy, as Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is keen to say. [Full Story]

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Will Obama’s America stop exporting fear?

By pearlaction | November 7, 2008 |

[ UPI Asia ] “Anti-terrorism” initiatives from the world’s most powerful country were exploited to the maximum by cynical leaders in other countries, mainly to deprive their own populations of basic freedoms and democracy. In many countries the War on Terror was manipulated to portray freedom of expression, publication and organization as subversive endeavors, and…

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