New Delhi:
In Parliament today, parties from Tamil Nadu demanded that the government reveal its stand on the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan government. The DMK, a senior member of the UPA at the centre, has said that India must vote against Sri Lanka at the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
A letter from the Prime Minister to DMK chief M Karunanidhi seems to suggest that is unlikely to happen. "We have urged it (Sri Lankan government) to put in place a process of resettlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction," writes Dr Manmohan Singh. He adds, "With regard to the resolution in the UN Human Rights Council, we are engaged with all parties in an effort to achieve an outcome that is forward looking and that ensures that rather than deepening confrontation and mis-trust between the concerned parties, a way forward is found on issues related to accountability and reconciliation."
A Channel 4 documentary has provoked an international storm over the alleged atrocities committed by Sri Lankan soldiers in May 2009 as the LTTE rebels were defeated, ending a decades-long civil war in the country. The film shows a 12-year-old boy, purported to be the son of LTTE leader V Prabhakran, lying dead with five bullet holes in his chest. The documentary claims that it has records that show the child was interrogated about his father's whereabouts before he was executed.
In the Rajya Sabha today, representatives from both the AIADMK and the DMK, the two main parties from Tamil Nadu, said the Prime Minister must share India's plan of action for Geneva. Dr Singh was present in the House.
"The entire world knows about the war crimes against Sri Lankan Tamils...we want an answer from the prime minister... will they support the UN resolution?" asked V. Maitreyan of the AIADMK, which is the main party in Tamil Nadu.
D. Raja of the Communist Party of India (CPI) criticised the government for not taking a stand on the issue, saying that given its proximity to Sri Lanka, India should have moved the resolution in Geneva and not the US.
Joining the debate, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the government to inform the house about their approach to the issue.
"It is a sensitive issue and we cannot (close) our eyes and ears as atrocities are being committed. We would like to know the response and approach of India government," he said.
Amid angry debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.K. Bansal said the government would issue a statement by the evening.
"India's meticulous adherence and respect for human rights is respected the world over. I have got the views of members expressed here and would not like to comment accepting that at this time we do not know what is the resolution before the council," said Bansal.
"I will get in touch with the minister of external affairs soon and will come with a statement in the house by evening," he added.