Role of the global community

Sri Lanka has defied the conventional wisdom that terrorist movements cannot be defeated militarily, with the total elimination of the LTTE leadership and cadres. This should be a cause of jubilation for all countries battling terrorism. Yet, there are indications that certain countries are unhappy over little Sri Lanka's accomplishment. An attempt is being made to sully Sri Lanka's reputation by dragging in issues such as human rights.

It is often said that wars and human rights are mutually exclusive concepts. But Sri Lanka's conflict was unique in the sense that the Government and the Security Forces were fighting to secure the human rights of the Tamil civilians held hostage by the ruthless LTTE. The Eastern and Northern liberation campaigns were rightly described as humanitarian missions for this reason.

Even Sri Lanka's bitterest critics have accepted the fact that the Tigers were holding nearly 300,000 civilians as a human shield and firing at those who tried to flee towards Government lines. In fact, the last stage of the humanitarian mission was called the 'biggest hostage rescue mission in the world'. It turned out to be just that, with nearly 200,000 civilians eagerly crossing over towards the troops. The troops engaged in this task without shedding any civilian blood, which is in itself a great achievement.

It is ironic that countries who are pressing for action against Sri Lanka on the human rights front have either failed to see or ignored civilian deaths in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gaza Strip. These deaths are brushed aside as collateral damage while the Sri Lankan State's legitimate right to battle a terror group and rescue civilians is called a war crime.

It would be naive to assume that civilian casualties could be totally avoided in any war, especially in a situation where the insurgents mingle with the civilian population. But the Sri Lankan Government gave a clear order to the Security Forces to ensure Zero Civilian Casualties.

The Government gave ample time for the Tigers to surrender. Around 9,000 cadres who did so are to be rehabilitated after the proper legal procedures. There is every reason to believe that hundreds more who did not take that route have crossed over with the civilians. The Government has a right to look for them in the IDP camps. The Government has also assured that resettlement could begin within months as demining and reconstruction starts. In the meantime, the civilians are being provided the necessary facilities. Their stay in the IDP camps will be a temporary one and is necessary for their own safety. It is indeed perplexing why certain countries see this too as a rights violation.

It is in this context that at least 18 countries in the UN Human Rights Council are supporting a resolution tabled by Sri Lanka that endorses its victory against terrorism, while opposing any human rights probe. These countries, which include Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt and Malaysia are of the view that Sri Lanka's fight against terrorism was purely an internal matter that should not be scrutinized by the international community. Several other countries including Chile and Mexico had called for a compromise resolution incorporating elements of this draft and the one submitted by a number of Western powers.

What Sri Lanka needs at this moment is not a probe that would aggravate the wounds of conflict, but international assistance for the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the North.

Indeed, the resolution, tabled by Sri Lanka calls for the UN to cooperate with the Sri Lankan Government in providing humanitarian assistance. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the architect of the victory against terrorism, has urged the international community to help the rebuilding effort. As MP Basil Rajapaksa, who plays a key role in Eastern and Northern rehabilitation, recently noted, Sri Lanka does not need 'monitors' at this stage - it needs partners for redeveloping the North. There is no doubt that the issue with regard to access to IDP camps would be resolved as security conditions improve. In the meantime, that should not be a hindrance for helping the displaced.

Nevertheless, some countries are advocating exactly the opposite by trying to curtail aid to Sri Lanka. That will have a negative effect on the very people that these countries urge the Government to protect - the IDPs, as Sri Lanka will need additional funds to ensure their welfare. The Government will need international help for the overall development of the North which has borne the brunt of the conflict for three decades.

Sri Lanka is at a very significant juncture in its history, having defeated the world's most ruthless terrorists. It is now chartering a course towards lasting peace and reconciliation. The international community should sincerely assist this noble endeavour.