Sri Lanka: Your Crimes Against Humanity Vacation Destination

by Michelle . · 2010-01-13 14:20:00 UTC
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Sri LankaIs everything a-ok in Sri Lanka? That's what the Sri Lankan government and, oddly enough, the New York Times would have you believe.

Mere days after a UN expert called for an independent investigation into possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka, the small island nation was lauded for its so-called new "peaceful era" and featured in the top spot on the New York Times list of "The 31 Places to Go in 2010."

Sure, the 22-year civil war between the government and the rebels from the minority Tamil ethnic group may have come to a decisive -- and spectacularly violent -- end last May, but the country is a far cry from proclaiming such an assured return to peace.

International pressure forced the Sri Lankan government to end some ongoing abuses of Tamil civilians last year, but a new report released this week by the International Crisis Group found that the post-war policies of the government "have deepened rather than resolved the grievances" at the roots of the conflict. Sri Lanka is notorious for blocking humanitarian aid to civilians, and remains one of the world's most dangerous places to be a journalist. Its upcoming national elections are already sparking low-level violence, and the country is renowned "human rights disaster."

The Times handed the Sri Lankan government a small but undeserved PR victory, despite its continued ill-treatment (to put it lightly) of Tamil civilians, repressive human rights policies, and complete disinterest in measures necessary for sustainable peace. To add insult to injury, the country's two presidential candidates -- the incumbent, who oversaw the war, and a career army general who spent years on the frontlines of the war -- are pandering to the Tamil voting bloc with what seem like suspiciously empty promises of "normalization." The truth is, the government won the war and sees no need to concede anything to the opposition. It's victor's justice at its most vindictive.

But please, go enjoy yourself on the island's lovely beaches, and help the brutal government maintain its façade of peace and quiet.

Photo credit: trokilinochchi

Michelle . has been involved in various activist endeavors, including the Teach Against Genocide pilot campaigns.
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