Urgent need to preserve evidence in the wake of Chemmani mass grave site: UN Human Rights Chief

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk took part in the vigil event held near Chemmani mass grave site during his visit in June. Pix: Northeastern Monitor

 

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk reiterated his call for preservation of evidence through impartial investigations on past human rights violations in the wake of ongoing excavation of Chemmani mass grave site in Jaffna. 

Responding to a collective letter sent yesterday by political parties and civil society organizations following his visit to the country last month, he said his office is committed to working in close cooperation with all relevant stakeholders to advance truth, justice, and accountability in Sri Lanka. 

“My meetings with many victims-survivors throughout my visit were deeply as my visit to the Chemmani mass grave site with affected families and lawyers including witnessing the large commemoration vigil held nearby. I hope that these engagements have given visibility and urgency to the need for preservation of evidence and thorough independent investigations, both with respect to the mass grave site and the issue of enforced disappearances more generally,” UN Human Rights Chief said in his responding letter dated August 5. 

The UN Human Rights Chief also said that his meetings with many victims-survivors throughout his visit were deeply as his visit to the Chemmani mass grave site with affected families and lawyers, including witnessing the large commemoration vigil held nearby. “I hope that these engagements have given visibility and urgency to the need for preservation of evidence and thorough independent investigations, both with respect to the mass grave site and the issue of enforced disappearances more generally,”

“Successive governments have failed so far to establish accountability mechanisms that are independent, fair, effective and meet the full range of international human rights standards. I encouraged the Government to move ahead with a comprehensive process to ensure truth, justice and accountability that enjoys the confidence of victims and the international community,” he said. (Northeastern Monitor/ August 6/2025)