A group of rights that documented allegations of violations in Sri Lanka had submitted a criminal complaint with the Singapore Attorney General, looking for the arrest of former President of Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his role in civil war during decades in South Asian countries.The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said Rajapaksa committed a massive violation of the Geneva Convention during the Civil War in 2009 when he became the head of the state defense, according to a copy of the complaint seen by Reuters.
ITJP based in South Africa believes that based on universal jurisdiction allegations of violations are subject to prosecution in Singapore, where he fled after months of riots over the economic crisis of his country.Rajapaksa submitted his resignation in Singapore, the day after escaping on July 13. The anti-government protesters have invaded the offices and official residences of the president and prime minister.
“Criminal complaints that have been submitted are (based on) information that can be verified about the two crimes that have been committed, but also on the correct evidence -really connecting the individual concerned, who is now in Singapore,” Alexandra Lily Kather, one of the lawyers compiled Complaints, telling Reuters by telephone from Berlin.”Singapore really has a unique opportunity with this complaint, with its own law and with its own policies, to speak the truth to power.”
Mr. Rajapaksa could not be contacted to comment through the Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore. He previously strongly denied the accusation that he was responsible for violating rights during the war.Responding to a question from Reuters, a spokesman for the Attorney General’s Office said he had received a letter from ITJP on July 23.
“We cannot comment further on this problem,” said the spokesman.The country’s foreign ministries said Rajapaksa entered Southeast Asian countries on private visits and did not seek or given asylum.The Shubhankar Dam, a professor at the Faculty of Law, Portsmouth University in the UK, who has taught in Singapore, said that while the court could try alleged war crimes, genocide, and torture, had repeatedly stated that such jurisdiction could only be called. as a last effort.
“Although neutrality is not officially enshrined in Singapore’s foreign policy, he has long fostered an average form,” said Mr. Dam.”Every decision to sue former heads of foreign countries must be balanced with the objectives of foreign policy.”Sri Lanka ended the 25-year civil war between separatist rebels from the Tamil minority ethnicity and government forces in 2009. Groups of rights accuse both parties of the violation during the war.ITJP helps in two civil lawsuits against Mr. Rajapaksa, the process for one of them was served in the California parking lot in 2019. Mr. Rajapaksa was a US citizen at the time.Both cases were withdrawn after Rajapaksa was given diplomatic immunity after becoming president of the end of the year.