Groome Congrssnl Caucs Ethn Rel Freedom SL 160203 PDF

JusticeforInternational
CrimesinSriLanka
T HE C ONGRESSIONAL C AUCUS FOR E THNIC
AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN SRI LANKA
February3,2016
P ROFESSOR D ERMOT G ROOME

BriefingonRecentDevelopments:
1.ReportoftheOfficeoftheUNHighCommissioner
forHumanRightsA/HRC/30/61(OISLReport).
2.HumanRightsCouncilResolutionA/HRC/RES/30/1
Founded in 1834, The Dickinson School of Law is the
oldest law school in Pennsylvania and the fifth oldest
in the country. In 2000, it became part of Penn State
University. Its graduates include Tom Ridge, the first
Secretary of Homeland Security.
It is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania home to the US
Army War College.
CongressionalCaucusonEthnicandReligiousFreedominSriLanka
O V E R V I E W O F P R E S E N TAT I O N
TheOISLReport,September162015
PartI(A/HRC/30/61)http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/OISL.aspx
PartII(A/HRC/30/CPR.2)http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/OISL.aspx
HumanRightsCouncilResolutionA/HRC/RES/30/1.
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session30/Pages/ResDecStat.aspx
WhataretheprospectsforjusticebeforethecourtsofSriLanka?
Arethereotherpotentialavenuesforjustice?
EvaluatingSriLankasImplementationofA/HRC/RES/30/1.
FinalComments.
February3,2016
C U R R I C U L U M V I TA E
MajorPositions:
6years
Prosecutor Manhattan DistrictAttorneysOffice
5years
JamaicaWestIndies HumanitarianAssistanceandChildrensRightswork
2years
Cambodia HumanRightswork,trainingjudges andprosecutors,monitoringcourts
11 years
Prosecutor UNInternationalCriminalTribunalfortheformerYugoslavia(Cases:Milosevic;Mladic;Luki;
Vasiljevi;Stanisic;Simatovic;Perisi(investigation&indictment);Haradinaj(pretrial);DraganNikolic(pretrial);
2confidentialcontemptinvestigations
MajorWritings:acompletecatalogueofarticlescanbefoundat: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=685217
THEHANDBOOKOFHUMANRIGHTSINVESTIGATION,withaforewordbyJusticeRichardGoldstone(2001,2011).
TheRighttoTruth,inCOMMENTARYONTHEUNPRINCIPLESTOCOMBATIMPUNITY(OxfordUniversityPress2015).PaolaGaeta,
FrankHaldemannandThomasUnger,eds.(Forthcoming).
CriminologicalAspectsofInvestigatingMassCriminalityinCRIMINOLOGICALAPPROACHESTOINTERNATIONALCRIMINALLAW,Ilias
BantekasandEmmanuelaMylonaki,eds.(CambridgeUniversityPress2014).
Authoroffivesectionsin:THEOXFORDCOMPANIONTOINTERNATIONALCRIMINALJUSTICEAntonioCassese,ed.(Oxford
UniversityPress2009).
DermotGroome,etal.,EXPERTINITIATIVEONPROMOTINGEFFECTIVENESSATTHEINTERNATIONALCRIMINALCOURT,(May2014)
(252pages).
NoWitness,NoCase:TheConductandQualityofICCInvestigations,3PennSt.J.L.&IntlAff.1(2014).
TheRighttoTruthintheFightAgainstImpunity,29BerkeleyJ.IntlL.175(2011).
TheChurchAbuseScandal:WereCrimesAgainstHumanityCommitted?11ChicagoJ.IntlL.439(2011).
AdjudicatingGenocide:IstheInternationalCourtofJusticeCapableofJudgingStateCriminalResponsibility?31FordhamIntlL.J.
911(2008).
February3,2016
O I S L R E P O RT: B AC KG RO U N D
TimeLine
Date
Event
Comment
May2009
UNSGvisitsSriLanka
Jun.2010
Afterayearofinaction UNSGappoints
panelofexperts.
Mar.2011
ReportoftheSecretaryGeneralsPanel
ofExpertsonAccountabilityinSriLanka
[F]ound credible allegations, which if proven, indicate that a wide range of

serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human
rights law was committed by both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE,
some of which would amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Nov.2012
ReportoftheSecretaryGenerals
InternalReviewPanelonUnited
NationsActioninSriLanka
While primarily focused on UN actions during the last stages of the conflict it
makes important findings of fact and revelations of information relevant to
any ultimate adjudication of whether crimes were committed.
Mar.2014
HRCResolution25/1Promoting
Reconciliation,Accountabilityand
HumanRightsinSriLanka
Expressing serious concern at the continuing reports of violations of human

rights in Sri Lanka, including sexual and genderbased violence, enforced
disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torturethreats to judicial
independence and the rule of law, as well as intimidation of and reprisals
against human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists,
Jul.2014
OISLbeginsitswork
Mar. 2015
OISLreportdelayed for6months
Delay to give the Sirisena government an opportunity to cooperation with

OISL.
Sept.2015
ReportoftheOHCHRInvestigationon
SriLanka(OISL)
A/HRC/30/CRP.2
Detailed findings based on abundant evidence of the commission of many of

the most serious crimes possible.
Findings with respect to Sri Lankas inability to deliver justice for victims.
Recommendation for a hybrid tribunal
Sept.2015
HRCResolutionA/HRC/30/1Promoting
Rejects recommendation for a hybrid tribunal

Reconciliation,Accountabilityand
February3,
HumanRightsinSriLankaCongressionalCaucusonEthnicandReligiousFreedominSriLanka
2016
O I S L R E P O RT: B AC KG RO U N D
Thepeoplebehindthereport
MarttiAhtisaari
FormerPresidentofFinland
AfterpresidencyAhtisaariwas
instrumentalinpeaceprocessesin
NorthernIreland,Kosovo,South
Sudanandotherplaces
2008recipientofNobelPeacePrize
ZeidRaadAlHussein
HighCommissionerofHuman
Rights
AlHusseinisarespected
Jordaniandiplomat.Hetook
officeinSeptember2014.Has
degreesfromJohnsHopkinsand
CambridgeUniversity
SilviaCartwright
FormerJudgeHighCourtofNew
Zealand
WasalsoformerGovernorGeneral
andheadedseveralhumanrights
commissions.
AsmaJahangir
FormerHeadofPakistanHuman
RightsCommission
HasbeenaSpecialRapporteurtothe
UnitedNations.
February3,2016
O I S L R EPORT
TheOISLReport:MajorFindingsandConclusions
February3,2016
Thiswasahumanrightsinvestigationandnota
criminalinvestigation
Therewerereasonablegroundstobelievethat
internationalcrimeshadbeencommittedbytheSri
Lankanarmyincluding:
Unlawfulkillings&enforceddisappearances
Shellingofcivilianareas
Shellingofhospitals
Sexualtorture
Denialofhumanitarianaid
Therewerereasonablegroundstobelievethat
internationalcrimeshadbeencommittedbythe
LTTEincluding:
Unlawfulrecruitmentofchildren,
Unlawfulkillings
Forcedrecruitment
O I S L R EPORT
Individualcriminalliabilityfordirectperpetrators isestablishedbyshowingtheirdirectinvolvementin
crimes.
Individual criminal liability for remote perpetrators is established by demonstrating that their de jure
(legal) relationship or their de facto (in fact) relationship to the direct perpetrators and how they used
that relationship to contribute to the direct perpetrators crimes. That de jure or de facto relationship
may also impose a duty on the senior official to prevent or punish crimes committed by subordinates as
well as a duty to investigate allegations of crimes failure to do so makes that person criminally liable
for the unpunished crimes.
DirectPerpetrators
Although the OISL report does not identify the names of individual direct
perpetrators it does in some cases indicate the military unit they
belonged to and refers to video evidence depicting direct perpetrators
summarily executing prisoners.
February3,2016
O I S L R EPORT
Individualcriminalliabilityfordirectperpetrators isestablishedbyshowingtheirdirectinvolvementin
crimes.
Individual criminal liability for remote perpetrators is established by demonstrating that their de jure
(legal) relationship or their de facto (in fact) relationship to the direct perpetrators and how they used
that relationship to contribute to the direct perpetrators crimes. That de jure or de facto relationship
may also impose a duty on the senior official to prevent or punish crimes committed by subordinates as
well as a duty to investigate allegations of crimes failure to do so makes that person criminally liable
for the unpunished crimes.
RemotePerpetrators
Although the OISL report does not make findings of individual criminal
responsibility with respect to remote perpetrators it establishes many of
the de jure relationships that could be the basis for individual criminal
liability for superiors.
February3,2016
O I S L R EPORT
February3,2016
ThereareongoingcrimesagainsttheTamilminority.
TheSriLankangovernmentdidnotcooperatewith
theinvestigationandwasitsgreatestobstacle.
DespitethenewgovernmentOISLinvestigatorsor
expertswerestillnotpermittedtoworkinSriLanka.
Therecontinuestobewidespreadintimidationof
witnesses.
O I S L R EPORT
OISLrecognises themeasurestoimprovehumanrights
havebeentakenbytheGovernmentwhichtookoffice
inJanuaryandthatthenewGovernmentthattook
officeinAugust2015hascommittedtobringingabout
change
OISLReportpara.1280
February3,2016
10
O B S TA C L E S I N S R I L A N K A
ObstaclestoAccountability(OISLReportpara.1182)
1.
thelackofpoliticalwill;
2.
lackofindependentoversightofappointmentstothejudiciary,
aswellastotheHumanRightsCommissionandotherbodies;
3.
interferenceoftheExecutiveinjudicialmatters;
4.
unduedelayincaseslanguishinginthecourtsformanyyears
withoutprogress;
5.
appointmentofcommissionsofinquirywhichhaveoftenlacked
independence,themajorityofwhosereportshaveneverbeen
madepublic;
6.
thefailuretoimplementrecommendationsmadebynational
andUnitedNationsbodiesregardingaccountability;
7.
threatsandreprisalsagainstthosewhomakecomplaintsagainst
securityforcesandGovernmentofficials,aswellaslawyersand
judicialofficials;
8.
theabsenceofeffectivewitnessprotectionmechanisms.
9.
Anotherobstacleisthelackofrelevantlegislationcriminalizing
internationalcrimesandinstitutingmodesofliabilityincluding
commandorsuperiorresponsibility.
February3,2016
11
ObstaclestoAccountability (OISLReportpara.1182)
1.
2.
3.
4.
withoutprogress;
5.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
"The failure to hold perpetrators

accountable for gross human rights
violations, serious violations of
international humanitarian law and
international crimes in Sri Lanka dates
well before the mandate period of
OISL investigation and has been
highlighted repeatedly over the
years
OISLReport,para.1175
12
1.
2.
3.
4.
withoutprogress;
5.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
In June the Sri Lankan Parliament

adopted the 19th Amendment to the
Constitution. It places some new
checks on the authority of the
executive and attempts to make the
police, courts and investigatory
commissions more independent.
13
1.
2.
3.
4.
withoutprogress;
5.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
"The majority of the many

commissions of inquiry appear to
have been designed to deflect
criticism in high profile cases rather
than as effective mechanisms to
enable accountability, the exceptions
being the commissions of inquiry into
disappearances set up in 1994 and
1998. Despite their flaws, they did
nevertheless document many cases,
including
alleged
perpetrators.
However, the majority of the alleged
perpetrators were never prosecuted
and some have since been promoted
within the security forces.
14
1.
2.
3.
4.
withoutprogress;
5.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
"In the course of its investigations,

OISL
received
numerous
and
consistent reports from witnesses
about harassment and sometimes
physical abuse that they had endured
from military and/or police and of
their fears to report violations and
testify in investigations.
OHCHR
continued to receive such allegations
beyond the change of government in
January 2015.
OISLReport,para.1184.
"Most importantly, many of the
structures responsible for the
violations and crimes remain in place,
ready to be reactivated when
necessary as well as to prevent any
progress in terms of addressing
accountability.
15
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Creating an environment conducive

lackofindependentoversightofappointmentstothejudiciary, to open testimony and dialogue
requires putting in place an
independent,
effective
witness
protection system. While the Witness
Protection Act of 2015 marks a start,
it requires amendment to bring it into
withoutprogress;
line with international standards and
best practices.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
16
1.
2.
3.
4.
withoutprogress;
5.
madepublic;
6.
7.
judicialofficials;
8.
9.
February3,2016
OVERALL CONCLUSION
OISL believes, however, that Sri
Lankas criminal justice system is not
yet ready or fully equipped to
promptly conduct the independent
and credible investigation into the
allegations contained in this report, or
to
hold
accountable
those
responsible for such violations.
17
O I S L R EPORT
TheOISLReport:MajorRecommendations
General
Institutional
February3,2016
ImprovetheindependenceandcompetencyofSri
Lankancourts(#6)
Giveclear,unequivocalinstructionstosecurityforces
toceasecriminalactivity(#9)
Removeallsecuritypersonnelsuspectedofcrimes
andhumanrightsviolations(#12)
ReturnlandstolenfromTamils(#14)
Justice
Developcomprehensivetransitionaljusticepolicy
(#1)
EstablishfullfledgedOHCHRpresence(#3)
EnsurefullcooperationwithSpecialRapporteurs(#5)
Adoptinternationalhumanrightsconventionsand
enactinternationalcrimes(#1719)
Createahybridcourt(#20)
Reparationsforvictims(#30)
RighttoTruth
Developconcretemechanismsfortherighttotruth
andtherighttoknow(#2529)
18
O I S L R EPORT
February3,2016
19
H UMAN R IGHTS C OUNCIL 3 0 TH S ESSION

CommentsofAssistantSecretaryofStateNishaBiswalonAugust26,2015
The United States will sponsor a resolution on Sri Lanka next month at the
United Nations Human Rights Council backing Colombos plans for
reconciliation and to conduct an investigation into possible war crimes during
the final stages of the islands civil war, a top American diplomat said
Wednesday. The announcement signals a reversal of Washingtons
longstanding insistence on an international inquiry.
NewYorkTimes,August26,2015
"Today the United States, Sri Lanka, and our partners tabled a resolution at the UN Human Rights
Council in Geneva that represents a landmark shared recognition of the critical importance of truth,
justice, reparations, and guarantees of nonrecurrence in promoting reconciliation and ensuring an
enduring peace and prosperity for all Sri Lankans. This resolution marks an important step toward
a credible transitional justice process, owned by Sri Lankans and with the support and involvement
of the international community.
SecretaryofStateJohnKerrySeptember28,2015
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/09/247268.htm
February3,2016
20

ResolutionA/HRC/30/1Promotingreconciliation,accountabilityandhuman
rightsinSriLanka
Recognized
February3,2016
Thepassageofthe19th amendmenttothe
ConstitutionofSriLanka(creatingmoreindependent
organsofgovernment)
stepstakenbytheGovernmentofSriLankasince
January2015toadvancerespectforhumanrights
stepstakentostrengthencivilianadministrationin
theformerconflictaffectedprovincesoftheNorth
andEast
improvedenvironmentformembersofcivilsociety
WelcomingtheDeclarationofPeaceofthe
Governmentof4February2015
WelcomesthecommitmentoftheGovernmentof
SriLankatoundertakeacomprehensiveapproachto
dealingwiththepast,incorporatingafullrangeof
judicialandnonjudicialmeasures
21

ResolutionA/HRC/30/1Promotingreconciliation,accountabilityandhuman
rightsinSriLanka
February3,2016
22
J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

InitialresponsetoHumanRightsCouncilResolutionA/HRC/RES/30/1
The special court should start work by the end of this month or by early January. No
reconciliation is possible without accepting the mistakes of the past. They will not be
chasing behind every soldier, but the main line of command will be looked at.
Ms Kumartunga stressed that though there will be foreign technical assistance,
foreign judges would not be allowed in the process. Kumartunga said she
personally believed that involving independent foreign judges was preferable.
ChandrikaKumaratunga(president199495),ChannelNewsAsia,December1,2015
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/srilankatolaunch/2310294.html
February3,2016
23

InitialresponsetoHumanRightsCouncilResolutionA/HRC/RES/30/1
The adoption of this resolution is a turning point for human rights in Sri Lanka, and
crucially recognizes terrible crimes committed by both parties during the armed
conflict. The resolution calls for international judges, defence lawyers, prosecutors
and investigators to ensure the credibility of the justice process this is crucial.
Any accountability process must have an international component for it to have any
credibility, as well as to provide the necessary skills and expertise.
DavidGriffiths,AmnestyInternational,October1,2015
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/10/srilankaunwarcrimesresolutionmarksaturningpointforvictims/
At the Human Rights Council in October 2015, member states including Sri Lanka
endorsed a consensus resolution calling on the Sri Lankan government to implement
the reports many recommendations, including to establish a special counsel to
investigate and prosecute alleged wartime abuses, and to include foreign judges and
prosecutors in a Sri Lankan tribunal.
HumanRightsWatch,WorldReport2016,January27,2016
https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/27/srilankanewgovernmentmakessignificantprogress0
February3,2016
24

IsacrediblejusticeprocesspossiblebeforetheSriLankanCourts?
RecentVisitoftheWorkingGrouponEnforcedorInvoluntaryDisappearance.
Theworkinggroupalsovisitedcellsinanavycampintheeasternpartoftheislandthatexperts
saidshowedsignsofbeingusedevenafterconflictinthecountryendedin2009.Thegroupurged
thegovernmenttoinvestigatewhethertherewereotherundiscloseddetentioncenters.
Thegroupalsosaiditwasconcernedbyallegationsthatrelativesandorganizationsworkingon
casesofenforceddisappearancehadbeenharassedandintimidatedbyintelligenceofficers,police
andarmypersonnel.TheSriLankangovernmenthassaiditwouldinvestigatesuchclaims.
Thevictimsofenforceddisappearanceshaveoverallnofaithinthejusticesystem,prosecution
services,thepoliceorarmedforces.Thechronicpatternofimpunitystillexistsandsufficientefforts
nowneedtodeterminethewhereaboutsofthesepeople,punishthoseresponsibleandguarantee
therighttotruthandreparation,BernardDuhaime,vicechairofthegroup,said.
UdithaJayasinghe,WallStreetJournal,November19,2016
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2015/11/19/ungroupaskssrilankatospeedupdisappearancesinvestigations/
February3,2016
25

RecentcommentsofSriLankanOfficials
[A]ffirms inthisregardthe
importanceofparticipationina
SriLankanjudicialmechanismof
Commonwealthandotherforeign
judges,defence lawyersand
authorizedprosecutorsand
investigators.
Res30/1para.6
"I will never agree to international involvement in this matter."

"Thisinvestigationshouldbeinternalandindigenous."Theinternationalcommunity
neednotworryaboutmattersofstateinterest."
PresidentSirisena,BBCJanuary21,2016
http://www.bbc.com/news/worldasia35376719
The president of Sri Lanka has said foreign judges and prosecutors should not be involved
in an investigation into allegations of war crimes. In a BBC interview, President Maithripala
Sirisena said the country did not need to "import" specialists..
The government previously backed a UN resolution calling for a war crimes court
supported by foreign judges. But on Thursday the president said: "I will never agree to
international involvement in this matter."
"We have more than enough specialists, experts and knowledgeable people in our country
to solve our internal issues," he said.
Asked when the court might be set up, he said: "These things cannot be done instantly or
in a hurried manner.
President Sirisena said that while the UN report released in September 2015 had pointed
to army involvement in war crimes, the report had failed to mention names. He said it was
important to determine whether such crimes actually took place.
He said: "If the Sri Lankan Army is alleged for such crimes, our concern should be to free
them from those allegations. .
BBCJanuary21,2016
February3,2016
26

investigators.
Res30/1para.6

"I must say very clearly there is no allegations regarding 'war crimes'. They contained
allegations of human rights violations only. In terms of people, we definitely do not
need outsiders.
PresidentSirisena,AlJazeeraJanuary29,2016
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2016/01/srilankanpresidentallegationswarcrimes160128150748006.html
SriLankanPresident:NoAllegationsOfWarCrimes
In a Talk to Al Jazeera interview, the Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena
appears to contradict key findings from a UN investigation into the country's
civil war, released in September last year..
Speaking to Al Jazeera's Hoda AbdelHamid, Sirisena rejected the allegations.
"I must say very clearly there is no allegations regarding 'war
crimes', there were war crimes allegations during the early
stages. But at the United Nations Human Rights Council in
Geneva, mainly in the proposals presented in September, there
were no 'war crimes' allegations against us. They contained
allegations of human rights violations only.
AlJazeera,January29,2016
February3,2016
27

investigators.
Res30/1para.6

"I must say very clearly there is no allegations regarding 'war crimes'. They contained
allegations of human rights violations only. In terms of people, we definitely do not
need outsiders.
PresidentSirisena,AlJazeeraJanuary29,2016
http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/talktojazeera/2016/01/srilankanpresidentallegationswarcrimes160128150748006.html
We will have participation from foreign judges. This is nothing new.

(reportedly said during the week of January 24, 2016)
PrimeMinisterWickremesinghe,TheSundayTimes,January30,2016
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160131/columns/domesticwarcrimesprobelackofclarityasgovernmenttriesbalancingact181255.html
Q: The President says no foreign intervention.

A: That will not be allowed at any cost. Intervention is different to assistance.
Q: The US ambassador says something different.
A: That is their opinion. (reportedly said on January 28, 2016)
MinisterRajitha Senaratne,TheSundayTimes,January30,2016
http://www.sundaytimes.lk/160131/columns/domesticwarcrimesprobelackofclarityasgovernmenttriesbalancingact181255.html
February3,2016
28

ResponsetocommentsofSriLankanOfficials
Keith Harper (@USAmbHRC) tweeted at 0:09 pm on Mon, Jan 25, 2016: For #SriLanka
credibility of any accountability mechanism requires involvement of foreign judges etc. That
has and will not change.
KeithHarper,USRepresentativetotheUNHumanRightsCouncil
https://twitter.com/USAmbHRC/status/691593791724220416?s=03
"Bans spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Friday said in New York that the Secretary General
had reaffirmed the importance of a credible justice process and international participation in
the judicial mechanism.
StephaneDujarric,UNSGspokesperson
TheIndianExpress
http://indianexpress.com/article/world/worldnews/unurgesonglobalparticipationinsrilankancivilwarprobe/
"High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein will visit Sri Lanka this week amid an
uncertainty over foreign judges involvement to probe the alleged atrocities committed during
civil war with the LTTE. Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva today said the UN rights chief will
be in Sri Lanka for four days from February 6.
The visit assumes significance as an uncertainty prevails over the inclusion of foreign judges, after
Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in an interview to BBC Sinhala last week ruled out the
participation of foreign judges in the inquiry
PressTrustofIndia,February2,2016
http://www.india.com/news/world/unhumanrightschiefzeidraadalhusseintovisitsrilankathisweek911865/
February3,2016
29
P OTENTIAL AVENUES OF J USTICE

Arethereotherprospectsofjusticeforthevictimsofinternationalcrimes?
SriLankanDomesticCourts
TheHighCommissionersReportisclearand
unequivocal justicenotpossibleinSriLankan
DomesticCourts.
Sirisenasrecentstatementsareofconcern.
HybridCourt
RecommendedbyHighCommissioner.
RejectedbyHumanRightsCouncil
CouldbeconsideredagainifSriLankacourtsare
seentohavefailed.
TheInternationalCriminalCourt
TheInternationalCourtofJustice
UNSCAdhocTribunal
February3,2016
30
I N T E R N AT I O N A L C R I M I N A L C O U R T
o
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was

established in 1998 with its seat in The Hague. It is
an intergovernmental organization with jurisdiction
over serious international crimes including
genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
It has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the

territory of states parties or by citizens of a state
party. Its jurisdiction is complementary (only if
national courts cannot or do not adjudicate case.
UNSC can refer cases under Chapter 7.
Pros
Cons
ICChassubject matterjurisdictionsoverallofthe
internationalcrimes.
SriLankaisnotamemberoftheRomeTreatyandtherefore
thereisnoclearpathfor jurisdiction.
Tamil andSinhalesevictimswouldhavetherightto
participateintheproceedingsthroughrepresentatives.
TheCourtstill suffersfromdelaysandcapacityproblems.No
guaranteethatthecourtcouldmeetthechallengesofthe
caseevenifcamebeforeit.
Court couldenterfinaladjudicationsongenocide,crimes
againsthumanityandwarcrimes.
February3,
2016
31
I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O U R T O F J U S T I C E
TheInternationalCourtofJustice
o
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was

established in 1945 through the UN Charter. Its
seat is in the Peace Palace in The Hague.
Its primary task is to settle disputes between UN

member states.
It can also issue advisory opinions submitted by

qualified intergovernmental organizations.
It has jurisdiction over the crime of genocide.
Pros
TheICJhasjurisdictionoverallegedstateviolationsofthe
GenocideConvention.
Cons
Only statescaninitiatecasesbeforetheICJ.
TheICJ wouldnothavejurisdictionovercrimesagainst
humanityorwarcrimes
February3,2016
32
AD HOC CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL

Adhocinternationalcriminaltribunals
o
Ad Hoc Tribunals are international criminal

tribunals with jurisdiction over specific conflicts or
events. They can be set up through a UNSC
resolution pursuant to Chapter 7 of the UN Charter
or by agreement with the affected state.
They can be fully independent tribunals (ICTY, ICTR)

or hybrids in which a national court is
internationalized by incorporating international
prosecutors and judges (STL, SCSL, ECCC).
Pros
Tribunals focusononeconflictoreventandthereforecan
investigatemorecomprehensivelyandprosecutemore
perpetrators.
Cons
Allpermanent membersoftheUNSC(withvetopower)
supportedA/HRC/30/1.Unlikelyatthistime theywouldever
passaresolutiontocreatesuchacourt.
Adhoccourt couldhavejurisdictionoverviolationsofSri
Lankanlaw,internationalhumanitarianlawandinternational
criminallaw.
February3,2016
33
P OTENTIAL AVENUES OF J USTICE

TheProspectsforJustice
SriLankanDomesticCourts
TheHighCommissionersReportisclearand
unequivocal justicenotpossibleinSriLankan
DomesticCourts.
Sirisenasrecentstatementsofconcern.
HybridCourt
RecommendedbyHighCommissioner.
RejectedbyHumanRightsCouncil
CouldbeconsideredagainifSriLankacourtsare
seentohavefailed.
SriLankaisnotamemberoftheICC noclear
pathtojurisdiction.
TheInternationalCourtofJustice TheICJonlyhasjurisdictionovercasesbetween
states.Tamilminoritycannotinitiatecase.
UNSCAdhocTribunal
February3,2016
TheUNSCcouldlegallyestablishanadhoc
tribunalunderChapter7.US,ChinaandRussia,
allpermanentmembersopposethis.
34
E VA L U AT I N G S R I L A N K A S A C T I O N S
HowshouldSriLankasactionsbeevaluated?
ThecommitmentsSriLanka
undertookinHRCresolution30/1
serveasbenchmarks.
Manyofthecasesare
straightforwardfromthe
perspectiveofinvestigationand
prosecution.
Thereareseveraleffortsunderway
tomonitorandassesstheworkof
theSriLankancourts.
February3,2016
18.RequeststheOfficeoftheHigh
Commissionertocontinuetoassess
progressontheimplementationofits
recommendationsandotherrelevant
processesrelatedtoreconciliation,
accountabilityandhumanrights,andto
presentanoralupdatetotheHuman
RightsCouncilatitsthirtysecondsession
[June2016],andacomprehensivereport
followedbydiscussiononthe
implementationofthepresentresolution
atitsthirtyfourthsession[March2017];
35
InHRCResolutionA/HRC/30/1thegovernmentofSriLankamademorethan12specificcommitments:
Commitments
expressedcommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoaddressissues,includingthoseinvolving[ongoing]sexualandgenderbasedviolenceand
torture,abductions,aswellasintimidationofandthreatsagainsthumanrightsdefendersandmembersofcivilsociety(page2)
theexpressedcommitment oftheGovernmenttoensuredialogueandwideconsultationswithallstakeholders[withrespecttothefullrangeof
judicialandnonjudicialaccountabilitymechanisms](page2)
Welcomingthecommitments oftheGovernmentofSriLankatothedevolutionofpoliticalauthority(page3)
commitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatostrengthenandsafeguardthecredibilityoftheprocessesoftruthseeking,justice,reparationsby
engaginginbroadnationalconsultationswiththeinclusionofvictimsandcivilsociety,whichwillinformthedesignandimplementationofthese
processes,drawingoninternationalexpertise,assistanceandbestpractices.(para.3)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoundertakeacomprehensiveapproachtodealingwiththepast,incorporatingthefullrangeof
judicialandnonjudicialmeasuresfurtherwelcomesthewillingnessoftheGovernmenttogiveeachmechanismthefreedomtoobtainfinancial,
materialandtechnicalassistancefrominternationalpartners,includingtheOfficeoftheHighCommissioner(para.4)
itscommitment toreviewthelaw[updated witness&victimprotectionlaw],andencouragestheGovernmenttostrengthentheseessential
protectionsbymakingspecificaccommodationstoprotecteffectivelywitnessesandvictims,investigators,prosecutorsandjudges (para.9)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoreviewthePublicSecurityOrdinanceAct(para.12)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatorepealthePreventionofTerrorismAct.(para.12)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatosignandratifytheInternationalConventionfortheProtectionofAllPersonsfromEnforced
Disappearancewithoutdelay(para.13)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoreleasepubliclypreviouspresidentialcommissionreports(para.14)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoapoliticalsettlementbytakingthenecessaryconstitutionalmeasures,thedevolutionof
politicalauthorityfullenjoymentofhumanrightsbyallmembersofitspopulationtheGovernmenttoensurethatallProvincialCouncilsareable
tooperateeffectively(para.16)
thecommitment oftheGovernmentofSriLankatoissueinstructionsclearlytoallbranchesofthesecurityforcesthatviolationsofinternational
February3,
humanrightslawandinternationalhumanitarianlawareprohibitedandthatthoseresponsiblewillbeinvestigatedandpunished
(para.17) 36
2016
InHRCResolutionA/HRC/30/1theHRCmademorethan11specificrequests:
Requests
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatocontinuetocooperatewithspecialproceduremandateholders,includingbyrespondingformally to
outstandingrequests(para.19)
encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatoimplementtherecommendationscontainedtherein[OISLReport](para.1)
encourages thecontinuationofthatengagementinthepromotionandprotectionofhumanrightsandinexploringappropriateformsof
internationalsupportforandparticipationinSriLankanprocessesforseekingtruthandjustice(para.2)
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatoreformitsdomesticlawtoensurethatitcanimplementeffectivelyitsowncommitments,the
recommendationsmadeinthereportoftheLessonsLearntandReconciliationCommission(para. 7)
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatoreformitsdomesticlawtoensurethatitcanimplementeffectivelytherecommendationsofthe
reportoftheOfficeoftheHighCommissioner,includingbyallowingfor,inamannerconsistentwithitsinternationalobligations,thetrialand
punishmentofthosemostresponsibleforthefullrangeofcrimesunderthegeneralprinciplesoflawrecognizedbythecommunityofnations
(para. 7)
encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatointroduceeffectivesecuritysectorreformsensuringthatnoscopeexistsforretentioninor
recruitmentintothesecurityforcesofanyonecrediblyimplicatedinseriouscrimesinvolvinghumanrightsviolationsorabusesorviolationsof
internationalhumanitarianlaw(para.8)
encourages theGovernmenttostrengthentheseessentialprotectionsbymakingspecificaccommodationstoprotecteffectivelywitnessesand
victims,investigators,prosecutorsandjudges(para.9)
encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatoacceleratethereturnoflandtoitsrightfulcivilianowners(para.10)
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatoinvestigateallallegedattacksbyindividualsandgroupsonjournalists,humanrightsdefenders,
membersofreligiousminoritygroupsandtoholdperpetratorstoaccountandtotakestepstopreventsuchattacksinthefuture(para.11)
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatodevelopamechanismforpreservingallexistingrecordsrelatingtohumanrightsviolationsand
abusesandviolationsofinternationalhumanitarianlaw,whetherheldbypublicorprivateinstitutions(para.15)
Encourages theGovernmentofSriLankatocontinuetocooperatewithspecialproceduremandateholders,includingbyrespondingformally to
outstandingrequests(para.19)
February3,2016
37
serveasbenchmarks.
Manyofthecasesare
prosecution.
Videorecordingofthesummaryexecution
ofcapturedLTTEfightersbyuniformed
governmenttroops.
theSriLankancourts.
Videorecordingofthesummaryexecution
ofMuslimmenandboysbyuniformed
membersoftheScorpionUnitnear
Sarajevo,BosniaandHerzegovina.
February3,2016
38
serveasbenchmarks.
Manyofthecasesare
prosecution.
theSriLankancourts.
February3,2016
39
FinalComments:
ThegravityofthecrimesforwhichtheOISLfound
reasonablegroundsforcannotbeoverstated.
Timeisoftheessence.Astimepassesitbecomesmore
difficulttoinvestigateandprosecuteperpetrators.
February3,2016
40
JusticeforInternational
CrimesinSriLanka
T HE C ONGRESSIONAL C AUCUS FOR E THNIC
AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN SRI LANKA
February3,2016
P ROFESSOR D ERMOT G ROOME

BriefingonRecentDevelopments:
1.ReportoftheOfficeoftheUNHighCommissioner
forHumanRightsA/HRC/30/61(OISLReport).
2.HumanRightsCouncilResolutionA/HRC/RES/30/1
Founded in 1834, The Dickinson School of Law is the
oldest law school in Pennsylvania and the fifth oldest
in the country. In 2000, it became part of Penn State
University. Its graduates include Tom Ridge, the first
Secretary of Homeland Security.
It is located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania home to the US
Army War College.
41

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JusticeforInternational

P ROFESSOR D ERMOT G ROOME

Prosecutor Manhattan DistrictAttorneysOffice

Cambodia HumanRightswork,trainingjudges andprosecutors,monitoringcourts

[F]ound credible allegations, which if proven, indicate that a wide range of

Expressing serious concern at the continuing reports of violations of human

Delay to give the Sirisena government an opportunity to cooperation with

Detailed findings based on abundant evidence of the commission of many of

Rejects recommendation for a hybrid tribunal

"The failure to hold perpetrators

In June the Sri Lankan Parliament

"The majority of the many

"In the course of its investigations,

Creating an environment conducive

H UMAN R IGHTS C OUNCIL 3 0 TH S ESSION

H UMAN R IGHTS C OUNCIL 3 0 TH S ESSION

H UMAN R IGHTS C OUNCIL 3 0 TH S ESSION

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

"I will never agree to international involvement in this matter."

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

"I will never agree to international involvement in this matter."

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

"I will never agree to international involvement in this matter."

We will have participation from foreign judges. This is nothing new.

Q: The President says no foreign intervention.

J USTICE IN THE S RI L ANKAN C OURTS

P OTENTIAL AVENUES OF J USTICE

The International Criminal Court (ICC) was

It has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the

UNSC can refer cases under Chapter 7.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was

Its primary task is to settle disputes between UN

It can also issue advisory opinions submitted by

It has jurisdiction over the crime of genocide.

AD HOC CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL

Ad Hoc Tribunals are international criminal

They can be fully independent tribunals (ICTY, ICTR)

P OTENTIAL AVENUES OF J USTICE

P ROFESSOR D ERMOT G ROOME

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