News and events

Exhumed remains indicate violence and abuse

2024-07-17

Following the third stage of the excavation process at the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave site which began on July 4th and went on till 16th July 2024 researchers exhumed 12 human remains during the 10 days and proceeded to gather more evidence for identification.

The third phase of excavation of the Kokkuthoduvai mass grave began in July after months of delays from Sri Lankan authorities who claimed that there was insufficient funding to undertake this research. Therefore CHRD played a key role in securing funds for the government for distribution to relevant authorities institutions and departments etc. involved in order to carry out a meaningful and effective excavation process.

Initial findings suggested that the mass grave site contains the bodies of dozens of LTTE cadres.

V.S. Niranchan attorneyatlaw retained by CHRD appearing on behalf of the families of the disappeared spoke at the scene of the mass grave and said that preliminary research has found that many of the bodies showed signs of being riddled with gunshot wounds. In some of the situations he said that the clothes had been torn off from the body. He said this is an indication violence and abuse which could constitute human rights violations.

He stated that they believed that many of the remains maybe members of the female LTTE cadres as majority of the remains were identified as women.

He further informed investigations into the evidence are ongoing by Prof. Raj Somadeva and his team they will begin carbon dating to identify the exact period these bodies were buried and other significant evidence that can be collated to make a stronger case."

It is important to highlight the fact that CHRD legal team was actively involved in the process to guarantee lawful and respectful protection and investigation efforts in ways to benefit victim families human rights to truth and justice. For the first time CHRD ensured that it took the lead role to ensure application of international human rights standards and laws in terms of mass graves such as handling of human remains and the interests of affected families and victim communities.

Experience from past excavation process made CHRD realize the importance of following international standards and proper protocol which will help ensure that mass graves and the human remains receive the respectful nondiscriminatory and dignified handling they deserve from the point of initial discovery and investigation through to identification efforts and on to the fuller pursuit of formal justice and longer term commemoration.