Former Chief Minister of the Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran issuing a statement yesterday, March 30, said that the proposed hybrid court to handle allegations of war crimes and human rights violations in Sri Lanka could be set up following the example of the International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP) under the Chairmanship of Justice Bhagavathy.
He was referring to the appointment of the IIGEP under the chairmanship of Ex Indian Chief Justice P.N. Bhagavati to overlook the investigations conducted by the Udalagama Commission inquiring into 16 Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka on August 1, 2005 by then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.
“Over three years have passed since the passing of Resolution 30/1. Not only has the Sri Lankan Government not endeavoured to implement its commitments as per the Resolution but has gone further to reject its obligation to implement it, while at the same time co-sponsoring Resolution 40/L.1 which obligated the appointment of a hybrid court as per Resolution 30/1.
“The Sri Lanka Government recently officially rejected, at the UNHRC, the appointment of a hybrid court,” he said in the communique.
“That could be a precedent to be followed with regard to war crimes too. The IIGEP consisting of foreign judges was an illustrative example of how the inclusion of foreign judges introduced international standards and also brought credibility among the affected people,” he further stated.