Sri Lanka remains a human rights priority for UK
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka remains a ‘human rights priority for the United Kingdom” a senior minister has said, highlighting increased harassment of civil society, the militarization of civilian functions, and the government’s withdrawal of support for the UN Human Rights Council resolution” as issues of concern.
This was revealed by Lord Ahmad, Britain’s Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth, in a written response to a query by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, about what discussions the UK government have had with the government of Sri Lanka about human rights in that country.
Lord Ahmad’s written response:
“Sri Lanka is a human rights priority country for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and we regularly raise our concerns about the human rights situation with the Government of Sri Lanka. These concerns include the increased harassment of civil society, the militarisation of civilian functions, and the government’s withdrawal of support for the UN Human Rights Council resolution on post-conflict truth, accountability and reconciliation. I have raised concerns on several occasions with the Sri Lankan High Commissioner and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, most recently during calls on 4 and 5 November. The UK’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka also regularly raises human rights issues in her discussions with the government of Sri Lanka”.
The query and the response come in advance of the 46th UN Human Rights Council session set for March. Britain’s Shadow Minister for Asia Stephen Kinnock has also called on the UK government to “show international leadership” on Sri Lanka. In a letter, he notes “deep concern about alarming threats to democratic governance, the rule of law and human rights” on the island.
-ENCL/TG