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Dr Chris Smith

The Expert has completed over 3,000 expert witness reports on Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Malaysia since 2005, primarily for the UK courts but also in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA.  This has also included cases on terrorism and extradition. Oral expert evidence in all recent Sri Lankan Country Guidance cases from LP (2007) to KK & RS (2020).

Most recent one month research visit to Sri Lanka in March 2022 (Northern and Eastern Provinces).  It is usual to visit Sri Lanka and select countries in Asia each year for at least a month.  Strong emphasis on fieldwork and interviews with officials and in-country experts and focus upon risk and vulnerability on return.

Also, expertise on India, especially Tamil Nadu and Khalistan and LGBTQ issues generally.  Recent expert witness on high profile extradition cases in Hong Kong, London and New York.  Research visits to India, Pakistan and Malaysia are planned for 2023. 

Extensive field work and publications record in India from 1983, including my PhD on India’s defence industry and security sector (1988) and two year tenure at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies/United Nations University (Delhi) (1983-85).

Expert witness research trip planned for 2023 (Chandigarh, Delhi, Chennai etc).  Focus upon LGBTQ, anti-terrorist operations, security sector, intelligence.

Also, extensive past fieldwork on Pakistan, especially illegal weapons proliferation, security sector, governance, human rights.  Further field research on Ahmadi, Christian, LGBTQ planned.

Work on Malaysia is under development, especially treatment of Hindus and transsexuals.  A research trip is planned4vvvv

Occupation: Senior Research Fellow, School of Advanced Study, University of London,. (Previously King’s College, London and University of Sussex.).

Degrees: PhD (1988), MA (Peace Studies), B.SocSci (2i).

Countries of expertise: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia.

Name
Dr Chris Smith
Occupation
Independent Researcher
Expertise

Forty years research academic and policy-related experience in Asia.  Numerous field research visits and residencies.

Experience

Over 3,000 reports since 2005 for clients in UK, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia.

Additional past experience giving evidence in terrorist trials (Australia) and extradition cases (USA/Sri Lanka, Hong Kong/India, UK/India).

Publications

India’s Ad Hoc Arsenal, (SIPRI, OUP, 1994).

‘South Asia’s Enduring War’, Rotberg, R. Creating Peace in Sri Lanka: Civil War and Reconciliation, (Brookings Institution Press, Washington, 1999), pp.17-40

Small Arms and Light Weapons in Sri Lanka, (Centre for Humanitarian Agencies, Colombo, 2003), 18pp.

‘In the Shadow of a Ceasefire: The Impacts of Small Arms Availability and Misuse in Sri Lanka, Occasional Paper No 11, (Small Arms Survey, Geneva, October 2003), 57pp.

‘Tamil Tigers face tough choices in wake of tsunami’, Jane’s Intelligence Review, Vol 17, No 3, (March 2005), pp.36-39.

‘Rebel attacks intensify as Sri Lanka slides towards civil war’, Jane’s Intelligence Review, Vol 18, No 3, (March 2006), pp.19-23.

‘Sri Lanka Returns to War’, Jane’s Intelligence Review, (November 2006).

‘Sri Lanka: The Continued Armed Struggle of the LTTE’, in, de Zeeuw, J., (ed), Transforming Rebel Movements After Civil War, (Lynne Rienner, Boulder, 2007).

‘The Eelam End Game?’, International Affairs, Vol 83, No 1, (January 2007), pp.101-118.

‘Les Tigres tamouls se nourissent de la diaspora’, Alternatives Internationales, No 5, (November 2007), pp.28-30.

‘Sri Lanka Returns to War’, Asian Affairs, Vol XXXIX, No 1, (March 2008, pp.83 - 94).

‘Weapons transfers to non-state armed groups’, Disarmament Forum: Engaging Non-State Actors, No 1, (UNIDIR, 2008).

‘Les Tigres tamouls se nourissent de la diaspora’, Alternatives Internationales, No 5, (November 2007), pp.28-30.

(with Eleanor Pavey) ‘Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Security Sector Reform in Sri Lanka’, in, Born, H. and A. Schnabel (eds), Security Sector Reform in Challenging Environments, (DCAF, Geneva, 2009), pp. 189-2010.

Languages
French, Portuguese
Ethnic groups expertise
Tamils (Sri Lanka, India),
Political groups expertise
LTTE, TGTE, Khalistan
Religious groups expertise
Christians (India, Pakistan Sri Lanka), Muslims (India), Hindus (Malaysia).
Other social groups expertise
Caste (India), LGBTQ (South Asia and Malaysia)
Fees
[Private to EIN members]
Phone
[Private to EIN members]
Address
[Private to EIN members]