HRW Complicit in Ignoring LTTE's Use of Human Shields
HRW's job should be to expose rights abuses with impartiality
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has has repeatedly played down the use of civilians in Sri Lanka (and around the world) as human shields. In a paper in Aug 2007 (click here) HRW said there was no indication that LTTE uses civilians as human shields. And HRW went on to say that they interviewed 12 persons "but none of them said the LTTE had used anyone as a 'human shield,' that is, purposefully using civilians to render an LTTE fighter immune from attack." The HRW does not say who the 12 persons are but what is clear is the LTTE has repeatedly used civilians in areas under their control as human shields. Amnesty International (among others) on the other hand, has clearly said and often exposed the use of human shields by the LTTE as well as the issue of child soldiers employed by the the LTTE - another issue which the HRW has chosen to ignore.
HRW for some reason, seems to ignore abuses by non-governmental entities despite the heinous nature of the abuses. Even during the war in Lebanon between Hezbollah's and the Israel security forces HWR was completely silent about the use of Hezbollah's use of civilians as human shields. However disproportionate one thinks the Israeli aggression was against the Hezbollah, why an organization that is supposed to be monitoring human right abuses will overlook abuses by one party simply because they are not recognized as a legitimate government is incomprehensible .
For the most part, Sri Lankan security forces has carried out the military campaign in a reasonable fashion that has minimized the civilian casualties. For instance, the LTTE, according to UN and other agencies has forcefully prevented the exodus of civilians from LTTE controlled areas knowing the Sri Lankan air force do not attack targets that could compromise the safety of civilians. The LTTE has counted on the accuracy and the code of conduct of the air force to guarantee their own safety. After all, compared to the air campaigns in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, the civilian casualties due Sri Lankan air raids is minimal.
Despite these, the HRW has only criticized the government and has blatantly continued to neglect the abuses carried out by the LTTE. Their persistent negative remarks on the government regardless of its position on human rights and the continued disinterest in LTTE's right abuses regardless of their reprehensible nature is quite comical. As such, the motive and credibility of the HRW should be questioned unless the organization whose goal is to protect the rights of the people is able to conduct themselves with impartiality, professionalism and integrity. Lack of which will only result in further suffering of the people.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has has repeatedly played down the use of civilians in Sri Lanka (and around the world) as human shields. In a paper in Aug 2007 (click here) HRW said there was no indication that LTTE uses civilians as human shields. And HRW went on to say that they interviewed 12 persons "but none of them said the LTTE had used anyone as a 'human shield,' that is, purposefully using civilians to render an LTTE fighter immune from attack." The HRW does not say who the 12 persons are but what is clear is the LTTE has repeatedly used civilians in areas under their control as human shields. Amnesty International (among others) on the other hand, has clearly said and often exposed the use of human shields by the LTTE as well as the issue of child soldiers employed by the the LTTE - another issue which the HRW has chosen to ignore.
HRW for some reason, seems to ignore abuses by non-governmental entities despite the heinous nature of the abuses. Even during the war in Lebanon between Hezbollah's and the Israel security forces HWR was completely silent about the use of Hezbollah's use of civilians as human shields. However disproportionate one thinks the Israeli aggression was against the Hezbollah, why an organization that is supposed to be monitoring human right abuses will overlook abuses by one party simply because they are not recognized as a legitimate government is incomprehensible .
For the most part, Sri Lankan security forces has carried out the military campaign in a reasonable fashion that has minimized the civilian casualties. For instance, the LTTE, according to UN and other agencies has forcefully prevented the exodus of civilians from LTTE controlled areas knowing the Sri Lankan air force do not attack targets that could compromise the safety of civilians. The LTTE has counted on the accuracy and the code of conduct of the air force to guarantee their own safety. After all, compared to the air campaigns in Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan, the civilian casualties due Sri Lankan air raids is minimal.
Despite these, the HRW has only criticized the government and has blatantly continued to neglect the abuses carried out by the LTTE. Their persistent negative remarks on the government regardless of its position on human rights and the continued disinterest in LTTE's right abuses regardless of their reprehensible nature is quite comical. As such, the motive and credibility of the HRW should be questioned unless the organization whose goal is to protect the rights of the people is able to conduct themselves with impartiality, professionalism and integrity. Lack of which will only result in further suffering of the people.
posted by Lanka at 9/17/2008 02:55:00 AM
15 Comments:
I hope Human Rights Watch will respond to this.
Air Force is accurate? Air Force kill innocent tamils.
Goverment is using airforce to genocide. President should be taken to world court.
HRW never comments on LTTE terror activities. They are biased towards the terrorist group.
If you think Mahinda should be trialed for war crimes, what can you say about the biggest terrorist in the world, Prabakaran, Pothu Aman?
Dont worry, we will knock on your door when we come to free the innocent tamil civilians at the hands of you terrorist!!!
Majority of the NGO's are biased towards the LTTE. This is to ensure their survival. No war, no jobs, no money!
Stop attacking HRW. They are doing a tremendous job to help bring normalcy to the country at the hands of the chinthanayas.
What nonsense, this is all false.
HRW is doing a good job, and the government and the sinhala pigs cannot accept that!!!!
HRW is much more legitimate than the government of Sri Lanka!!!!
Max - what are you smoking my friend?
Have you ever been to Sri lanka? or as a matter of fact, have you been to the North and East of the country? Do you see how people suffer at the hands of your so called leader?
I bet you, you would not live in the North under any circumstances nor would your family under the leadership of the terrorist man, Prabakaran!!!
I like to hear what HRW has to say about this. Good article.
HRW doesn't reply to idiots. Government of SL are murderers.
This article has been written by a sinhala terrorist. Hence, they are trying to find fault on a legitimate organization.
People are not blind now, you sinhala terrorist!!
Unfortunately for you mister only you and the murderer calls the sinhalese terrorists. The whole world on the other hand calls the LTTE terrorists. Proud to be Sinhalese.
And you can thank Prabha the murderer for ruining the Tamils reputations. Dont you wish you were sinhalese?
Dear Editor,
Please send a copy of this to HRW. Thank you.
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