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22-03-2006

Defiant Jo Becker promises to further investigate LTTE abuses of human rights

New York, 22 March, (Asiantribune.com): Dismissing LTTE attacks on Human Rights Watch, as typical of the LTTE to "the discredit the source of any criticism" Jo Becker, Director of the Human Rights Watch said that she will continue to investigate violations of human rights by the LTTE.

Here is her exclusive interview with the Asian Tribune.

Question:You have been the common target of the LTTE in the past too. Are you surprised by the latest attack launched by the LTTE after you presented the report on LTTE extortion?

Jo Becker: I’m not surprised. The LTTE typically denies reports of its abuses and frequently tries to discredit the source of any criticism, whether it is an international human rights organization like Human Rights Watch, or even a UN agency like UNICEF, which has meticulously documented cases of child recruitment by the LTTE.

Question :What is the methodology that is normally adopted by international agencies to investigate human rights abuses? Did you stick to strictly objective standards?

Jo Becker: We rely on in-depth one-on-one interviews with individuals who have had personal experience with the abuses we are investigating. We only use interviews that we believe to come from reliable, credible sources. We are non-partisan and do not accept any funding from any governmental sources, in order to maintain our objectivity.

Question: Are there any reasons to suspect or doubt any of the evidence gathered by you?

Jo Becker: No, we believe that our sources were credible. Their accounts were consistent, and revealed a systematic campaign of intimidation and extortion to secure funds for the LTTE and to stifle criticism of LTTE abuses. None of our sources received any financial or other personal benefits from speaking to us.

Question:Is it possible to conduct investigations into human rights abuses in any community dominated by a culture of fear?

Jo Becker: It is very difficult to investigate abuses by the LTTE because people are very afraid that if they speak to Human Rights Watch, even under assurances of confidentiality, they may risk reprisals by the LTTE against themselves or their families. For that reason, many people who have experiences abuses are unwilling to step forward.

Question: Is there any reason for you to revise or retract from the evidence and the conclusions presented in your report?

Jo Becker: Not at all. We firmly stand by our report. Statements on TamilNet and elsewhere that suggest that we have backed away from our original findings are completely false.

Question: When did you present your questionnaire to the LTTE? And what was their response?

Jo Becker: We sent a series of questions to the LTTE on February 2 and again on February 8 regarding LTTE fundraising activities in the West. We did not receive a response to either inquiry.

Question: How valid are the criticisms leveled against your report by the LTTE?

Jo Becker: We firmly stand by our report.

Question: Will this kind of attacks stop you from investigating and reporting on human rights abuses by the LTTE or any other militant organisation?

Jo Becker: Absolutely not. We will continue to investigate and expose human rights abuses by both government and non-state actors, including the LTTE.

- Asian Tribune -