The All-Party Parliamentary Human Rights Group (PHRG) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGt) organised this meeting review progress on human rights in Sri Lanka since the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1 in October 2015.
We would like to thank James Berry MP, Chair of the APPGt, (“JB”) for chairing this meeting.
The event’s speakers:
- Ann Hannah – International Advocate and Researcher, Freedom from Torture (“AH”);
- Jan Jananayagam – Director, Together Against Genocide (“JJ”);
- Taylor Dibbert – Freelance writer and consultant (“TD”).
- Wes Streeting MP – Vice Chair, APPGt (“WS”).
- Nicole Piché (on behalf of Mark Durkan MP – Treasurer, PHRG) – Coordinator and Legal Advisor, PHRG (“NP”).
The event also featured a screening of the short film ‘Silenced Survivors’.
The main points raised during the meeting:
- Freedom from Torture’s report showed that torture in Sri Lanka has continued with impunity under the new Government and that there has been limited action by the Sri Lankan Government to address violations. (AH)
- If peace-building and reconciliation efforts are not to be undermined, survivors need accountability to be delivered, and impunity ended. (AH)
- The adoption of the Resolution is only a starting point and the FCO now needs to support the Sri Lankan government in delivering full implementation. (AH)
- The Sri Lankan Government is yet to set out a roadmap for implementing the peace process. There is little clarity for the survivors or the international community on next steps. (JJ)
- The UK Government must be firmer in holding the Sri Lankan Government to account over the UN resolution. (WS)
- The next Human Rights Council session presents a window of opportunity for the UK to push for justice in Sri Lanka. (NP)
- The international community should send messages both publicly and privately to show that they will be engaged in the peace process long term and that regime change alone is not a game-changer. (TD)
- The consultation process must involve proper consultation of the survivors. (TD)
- The consultation process has been deficient in many respects, including the lack of outreach to non-residents and lack of international participation. More generally, it is important that strong witness protection systems are put in place. (JB)
- There had been flagrant disregard by the Sri Lankan government of the requirement for international input into the process. (JB)
- It was not acceptable that under Clause 2, nothing had yet been done as regards the freedom of journalists and different faiths. (JB)
The PHRG campaigns extensively on human rights and justice issues in Sri Lanka, calling for an accountable and internationally-led peace process, and will be following the upcoming Human Rights Council session closely.
The APPGt will be continuing a programme of questions, Early Day Motions and debates to keep the issues alive and work to achieve the delivery of Resolution.