Humanitarians killed in Sri Lanka. Action Against Hunger calls for the truth

French NGO Action Against Hunger on Thursday urged the Sri Lankan government to allow a credible investigation into the 2006 murders of 17 of its aid workers.

“We are waiting for concrete steps in the right direction. It is time to act, ” said Véronique Andrieux, Director General of Action Against Hunger (ACF), visiting the island for the 10th anniversary of the massacre.

No prosecution has been brought following the murders of NGO workers killed on their premises, one of the worst massacres committed during the internal ethnic war that lasted for 37 years.

Véronique Andrieux indicated that ACF was closely monitoring the fulfillment of the promise made by Colombo, at the UN Human Rights Council in September, to create an international system to prosecute war criminals, which would allow ” a legal and fair solution ” .

Seventeen employees killed

The NGO Human Rights Watch also stressed the need for a credible international investigation to find the perpetrators of the crimes, given the mismanagement of the case by successive Sri Lankan governments.

On August 4, 2006, 17 ACF employees, including four women, were killed at their premises in Muttur, north-eastern Sri Lanka, as fighting raged between the government army and Tigers rebels. liberation of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

In 2013, ACF accused Sri Lankan law enforcement officials of being responsible for the assassination of its employees and accused the country of protecting them, in a damning report. Considering that the Sri Lankan police had “failed to conduct an effective and rigorous investigation” , the NGO was already calling for an independent international investigation.

In 2015, a United Nations report identified government forces as responsible for the execution of the 17 employees.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

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