The important role of Information either in the enforcement of human rights or the abuse of those rights is not often visible. Effective manipulation of the sources of information could be achieved through various ways, through misinformation, disinformation or through censorship. Governments often resort to such practices in their attempt to cover up their violations of human rights. Sri Lanka is not only no exception to this, but is an outstanding example of a country that has succeeded in getting away with violations amounting to genocidal proportions merely by blocking information or by manipulating it.
On the one hand there is a war going on in parts of the country where no foreign correspondents are admitted. On the other hand, the Sri Lanka government is issuing handouts about the war to Sri Lankan (Sinhalese) correspondents working for international news agencies which the latter faithfully transmit to the outside world. By characterising the war as one against terrorism and not against Tamils, and making the world believe in it, human rights of non-combatant Tamil civilians are being trampled. A London based Human Rights group 'Peace Brigades International' has already announced it was pulling out of Sri Lanka because of restrictions placed on its dissemination of information regarding human rights in the country. The group has also complained about the way the government was hindering access to the east which has seen much of the fighting. Such acts constitute a censorhsip of information.
In trying to project the appointment of the Human Rights Commission as an expression of genuine concern over human rights the government has been less than sincere. The record of the Commission until now has been very poor. The report of the Special Rapporteur Mr. Bacre Waly N’diaye following his on-the-spot visit to Sri Lanka has set out several goals to the Commission, none of which is on the face of it, being pursued by the Commission. Among the goals he suggested are : Give a full public accounting of the scope and extent of the crimes committed in the name of the State and political and institutional factors that contributed to the impunity of the authors. Mr. N’diaye has placed his finger on two vital aspects: the lack of public accounting and the exemption from punishment of crimes committed. Even the US State Department in its country report on Sri Lanka for the year 1997 has commented: “In most cases of extrajudicial killings and disappearances no progress was made or there was no investigation or prosecution at all”.
While there are enough reports emanating regarding the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and while enough lip service is being paid to the need to enforce human rights, there has been no tangible evidence to show any improvement. Because the State itself is a party to the violations, only a direct show of concern by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights could be the anwser. It is to be hoped that Sri Lanka as a country which was very much in the world's eye in recent times will receive close attention from the energetic High Commissioner Madame Mary Robinson.
