Coming out against a UN resolution that endorsed a domestic probe in Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Friday expressed disappointment and <g data-gr-id="61">anguish,</g> while DMK chief Karunanidhi termed it shocking. Both the leaders blamed the Centre for not acting on a September 16 resolution of the Tamil Nadu Assembly, seeking an international probe.
“The resolution passed yesterday will in no way render justice to Sri Lankan Tamils. This resolution is in favour of the Sri Lankan government and adversarial to Sri Lankan Tamils,” Jayalalithaa said.
The UN Human Rights Council had on Thursday adopted a resolution, paving the way for a probe involving foreign judges and prosecutors into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka. Although the resolution has features like <g data-gr-id="44">participation</g> of foreign judges, it would in no way be equal to an international judicial probe, Jayalalithaa said.
“This weak resolution adopted by perceiving a change of heart of the Sri Lankan government will not do any good to Sri Lankan Tamils,” she said.
Blaming the Centre, Jayalalithaa said: “The UN resolution shows that the Union government did not take any step over the unanimous resolution adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.”
Recalling writing to PM Narendra Modi over the issue, seeking action on the Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution, she said:
Tamil Nadu Assembly had unanimously adopted a resolution asking the Centre to move a “strong resolution” in the UNHRC for an international probe into the alleged war crimes in the 2009 war in Sri Lanka.
“I had clearly stated in the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the Indian government had the duty to prevent a resolution asking Sri Lanka itself to probe into war crimes,” the Chief Minister said.
Also, she had pointed out that a September 1 resolution of the Sri Lankan Northern Provincial Council had sought an international probe.
<g data-gr-id="34">International</g> probe was sought so as to ensure justice, to strengthen the Council's resolution and in deference to the feelings of all Tamils, she said.
Expressing shock over UN resolution, Karunanidhi said it was tantamount to vesting the power to probe in the very hands of the accused and doubted if even such a watered down version would be implemented.
Hitting out at the Union government for supporting the resolution, Karunanidhi quoted a Tamil proverb to indicate double whammy and said: “The Centre did not initiate a resolution seeking an international probe and also supported the one brought in by USA and UK.”
“At a time when world Tamils were expecting that they would get justice even if it was delayed the resolution comes as a shock,” he said.
Slamming the resolution as “diluted,” he said the “document did not say anything on alleged genocide. The resolution asking Lanka to probe was tantamount to vesting the power to investigate in the very hands of the accused.”
“It is highly doubtful if even such a watered down resolution which was passed against the expectations of the world Tamil organisations would be implemented honestly in a <g data-gr-id="38">whole hearted</g> manner by Sri Lankan government,” he said.