International Truth and Justice Project
{{Infobox organization
| headquarters = London, England, United Kingdom
| leader_title = Executive director
| leader_name = Yasmin Sooka
| website = https://itjpsl.com/
| type = Private limited company
| established = {{Start year and age|2013}}
}}
International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) is a human rights non-governmental organization established in 2013 to gather evidence to hold the Government of Sri Lanka accountable for war crimes during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. Located in South Africa while being registered in London, United Kingdom as a private limited company,{{cite web |title=THE INTERNATIONAL TRUTH AND JUSTICE PROJECT |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10907205}} the ITJP publishes its reports and press releases in English, Tamil and Sinhala.
Members and funding
Its executive director is Yasmin Sooka, who served as a member of the United Nations Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka. Its other directors include British journalist Frances Harrison, Hanif Mohammed Vally and Zaid Kimmie; who have served as the executive directors for the Foundation for Human Rights of South Africa.{{cite web |title=THE INTERNATIONAL TRUTH AND JUSTICE PROJECT |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/10907205}}https://buenosairesherald.com/politics/we-have-to-recognize-the-past-more-effectively-south-african-rights-defender-zaid-kimmiehttp://www.dailynews.lk/2019/11/14/political/202818/international-election-observers-arrive It has gained grants from the Sigrid Rausing Trust.{{Cite web |date=2014-02-06 |title=International Truth and Justice Project |url=https://www.sigrid-rausing-trust.org/grantee/international-truth-and-justice-project/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=The Sigrid Rausing Trust |language=en}}
Initiatives
= Sanctions against former Sri Lankan officials =
As of December 2024, it had submitted over 60 sanctions and visa ban requests against Sri Lankan public and security officials for human rights and economic crimes in Sri Lanka.{{cite web |title=ITJP submits over 60 sanction requests against Sri Lankan officials |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/ITJP-submits-over-60-sanction-requests-against-Sri-Lankan-officials/108-297855 |website=Daily Mirror |access-date=16 March 2025}} These have been extended to Indian officials including members of the IPKF.
Following the recommendations by the ITJP, in March 2025 the Government of the United Kingdom imposed travel sanctions on former Sri Lankan army commanders Shavendra Silva and Jagath Jayasuriya, former navy commander Wasantha Karannagoda and former LTTE commander and pro-government paramilitary leader Karuna Amman as part of what the Foreign office called "UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extrajudicial killings, during the civil war".{{cite web |title=More Sri Lankans recommended for target sanctions: ITJP says after UK’s action |url=https://economynext.com/more-sri-lankans-recommended-for-target-sanctions-itjp-says-after-uks-action-211784/ |website=economynext.com |access-date=26 March 2025}} The sanctions were rejected by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the wartime President Mahinda Rajapaksa.{{cite news |title=UK sanctions: Such unilateral actions only complicate reconciliation process: Foreign Ministry |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/UK-sanctions-Such-unilateral-actions-only-complicate-reconciliation-process-Foreign-Ministry/108-305259 |access-date=27 March 2025 |publisher=Daily Mirror}}{{cite news |title=Wartime President Mahinda Rajapaksa tells off UK for sanctions against military leaders |url=https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Wartime-President-Mahinda-Rajapaksa-tells-off-UK-for-sanctions-against-military-leaders/108-305257 |access-date=27 March 2025 |publisher=Daily Mirror}}
= Release of the Batalanda Commission Report =
In 2025, Frances Harrison brought to global attention the Batalanda Commission Report that found former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe was indirectly responsible for the detention centre.{{cite web |title=Batalanda report surfaces as Ranil rejects allegations on Al Jazeera |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2025/03/07/batalanda-report-surfaces-as-ranil-rejects-allegations-on-al-jazeera/ |website=newswire.lk}} Following this interview, Minister Bimal Rathnayake tabled the Batalanda Commission Report in parliament 14 March 2025.{{cite news |title=‘Batalanda’ Commission report tabled in Parliament: calls for justice, accountability |url=https://www.adaderana.lk/news.php?nid=106565 |access-date=21 April 2025 |publisher=Adaderana}} Wickremesinghe responded by denying any wrongdoing and stating that the commission was politically motivated aimed at discrediting him with the report highlighting what he called terrorist acts committed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.{{cite news |title=Ex-President Ranil makes special statement on ‘Batalanda’ Commission report |url=https://www.themorning.lk/articles/iFbXlcWjS01LoHHTMqjI |publisher=The Morning}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://itjpsl.com/ Official site]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Human rights organisations based in the United Kingdom