Karuna is Back in Sri Lanka says Human Rights Watch
July 4th 2008 13:47
Karuna is Back in Sri Lanka says Human Rights Watch
This is not a surprise but a disappointment all the same.
When you have a world class terrorist in your possession the wise thing would to hang onto him, charge him and put him on trail. Col Karuna is the real deal. A genuine terrorist that would make most of those in Gitmo look like innocent angels. The USA based Human Rights Watch made this statement regarding the Cornell Karuna
Tamil Tiger forces under Karuna's command were directly involved in some of the worst crimes of Sri Lanka's ongoing civil war, including torture, summary execution, and use of children as soldiers.
For more than six months British authorities had him in custody after he was convicted for entering England on a false passport. For six months they did nothing to charge him with crime against humanity as he deserved. Yet instead of keeping this menace to the world the British government has allowed him to go free and leave the country. HRW say that the 45 year old is now in Sri Lanka.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch added, "This was a rare opportunity to hold a leader of the Tamil Tigers accountable for horrific human rights abuses, and the British government blew it."
Col Karuna crimes were initially overlooked when he defected with his units to the Sri Lankan army. Yet despite this defection his army called the Karuna Faction was still being accused by NGO groups of recruiting child soldiers and murdering civilians.
Below is a short extract from Wiki of his alleged activities:
Ref: Really Long Link
Colonel Karuna was the LTTE head of the Eastern province in 1990, when between 400 to 600 unarmed police officers who surrendered to the group were subsequently massacred.
When Colonel Karuna was part of the LTTE, he was also implicated in the massacre of Muslims, including the Kattankudy and Erovar massacres in the eastern province. According to Sri Lankan military intelligence sources, "Karuna was not in the East province but in the Wanni during the time of the attacks on Kattankudy and Eravur Muslims. He was however intercepted giving orders to his cadres in the East in relation to various activities." [1].
RSF (Reporters Without Borders), has accused him of muzzling local journalists by forming death squads to silence those who oppose his point of view. [7]
His armed group has been accused by human rights groups in the increasing involuntary disappearances of civilians in the Jaffna peninsula.[8][9]
They have been accused of taking part in death squad activity against civilians.[10]
They are also accused of child soldier recruitment by UNICEF, Human Rights Watch, and others.[11][12][13]
Additionally, a report by theUnited States Department of State claims that Karuna's group "was believed also to have killed 20 civilians."[14]
Karuna has categorically denied these allegations in interviews claiming the LTTE is trying to discredit his party.[15]
Also HRW has documented his activities after defecting to the Sri Lankan government.
Ref: Really Long Link
The group also expanded its operations in the northern Vavuniya district, engaging in extortion and abductions.
Between December 2006 and June 2007 UNICEF documented 145 cases of child recruitment or re-recruitment by the Karuna group.
In February 2007 Human Rights Watch observed armed children guarding Karuna political offices in plain view of the Sri Lankan army and police.
It is strange that in an age where minor players can be locked away for years that a person like Karuna can walk free. The only real hope that any good will happen is if the Sri Lankan government arrest this man and put him on trial. However if he is useful in the Civil War it may be unlikely.
Editorial Comment:
No comment.
This is not a surprise but a disappointment all the same.
Kids in War.
When you have a world class terrorist in your possession the wise thing would to hang onto him, charge him and put him on trail. Col Karuna is the real deal. A genuine terrorist that would make most of those in Gitmo look like innocent angels. The USA based Human Rights Watch made this statement regarding the Cornell Karuna
Tamil Tiger forces under Karuna's command were directly involved in some of the worst crimes of Sri Lanka's ongoing civil war, including torture, summary execution, and use of children as soldiers.
For more than six months British authorities had him in custody after he was convicted for entering England on a false passport. For six months they did nothing to charge him with crime against humanity as he deserved. Yet instead of keeping this menace to the world the British government has allowed him to go free and leave the country. HRW say that the 45 year old is now in Sri Lanka.
Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch added, "This was a rare opportunity to hold a leader of the Tamil Tigers accountable for horrific human rights abuses, and the British government blew it."
Col Karuna crimes were initially overlooked when he defected with his units to the Sri Lankan army. Yet despite this defection his army called the Karuna Faction was still being accused by NGO groups of recruiting child soldiers and murdering civilians.
Below is a short extract from Wiki of his alleged activities:
Ref: Really Long Link
Colonel Karuna was the LTTE head of the Eastern province in 1990, when between 400 to 600 unarmed police officers who surrendered to the group were subsequently massacred.
When Colonel Karuna was part of the LTTE, he was also implicated in the massacre of Muslims, including the Kattankudy and Erovar massacres in the eastern province. According to Sri Lankan military intelligence sources, "Karuna was not in the East province but in the Wanni during the time of the attacks on Kattankudy and Eravur Muslims. He was however intercepted giving orders to his cadres in the East in relation to various activities." [1].
RSF (Reporters Without Borders), has accused him of muzzling local journalists by forming death squads to silence those who oppose his point of view. [7]
His armed group has been accused by human rights groups in the increasing involuntary disappearances of civilians in the Jaffna peninsula.[8][9]
They have been accused of taking part in death squad activity against civilians.[10]
They are also accused of child soldier recruitment by UNICEF, Human Rights Watch, and others.[11][12][13]
Additionally, a report by theUnited States Department of State claims that Karuna's group "was believed also to have killed 20 civilians."[14]
Karuna has categorically denied these allegations in interviews claiming the LTTE is trying to discredit his party.[15]
Also HRW has documented his activities after defecting to the Sri Lankan government.
Ref: Really Long Link
The group also expanded its operations in the northern Vavuniya district, engaging in extortion and abductions.
Between December 2006 and June 2007 UNICEF documented 145 cases of child recruitment or re-recruitment by the Karuna group.
In February 2007 Human Rights Watch observed armed children guarding Karuna political offices in plain view of the Sri Lankan army and police.
It is strange that in an age where minor players can be locked away for years that a person like Karuna can walk free. The only real hope that any good will happen is if the Sri Lankan government arrest this man and put him on trial. However if he is useful in the Civil War it may be unlikely.
Editorial Comment:
No comment.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
However I am not going to talk about Bill Clinton and OSB. Too close to a USA election and people get very partisan.
Karuna has a track record and is a criminal but unfortunately he may be seen as a useful devil by the SL army. The British government had him and let him go. Yet they charged a Taliban warlord with lesser crimes. There seems to be a big hole in the war on Terror if this kind stuff goes on.
I agree with HRW in this case he should have been charged and kept away from any battle field where he would return and take up where he left off.