Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Cameron defends summit move amid HR concerns

24 October 2013 04:46 am - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

David Cameron has defended the decision to attend a high-profile international summit in Sri Lanka despite his concerns over the country's human rights record.

The Prime Minister rejected a Labour call to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), insisting it was right for him to attend so he could have "very tough conversations" with the Sri Lankan government.

Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, visiting Mr Cameron at No 10, said it was right to engage with regimes but opposition voices must be heard.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexandersaid Labour would support the Prime Minister stayed away.

Canada's prime minister Stephen Harper has said he will not attend the November 15-17 meeting, as Sri Lanka was failing to uphold the "core values" of the 53-nation grouping.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, warned after a visit in the summer Sri Lanka was "heading in an increasingly authoritarian direction" since the end of its 26-year civil war in 2009, while the Foreign Office's annual human rights report names it as a "country of concern".

A House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee report, earlier this month, found "scant evidence of progress in political and human rights".

Mr Cameron said he was "not happy" with Sri Lanka's human rights record and pledged to visit the north of the country, where Tamil separatists fought a long and bitter civil war.

He said: "My decision is... The right thing for us to do is to go to the Commonwealth conference, as leading members of the Commonwealth, and have some very tough conversations with the Sri Lankan government.

"I'm not happy with their human rights record, I'm not happy with what they have done following the conflict and we will have some very frank conversations to make those points. Where I think Labour have got it wrong is that if you don't go, you can't make those points.

"No one is going to be listening to the British Foreign Secretary and the British Prime Minister if we're not there."

Burmese opposition leader Ms Suu Kyi said she had often been asked if people should come to Burma during the long years of the military regime. "I have always said that I believe in engagement, but they should engage with us, the opposition, as well."

She said if Mr Cameron went to Sri Lanka he should "engage with all those who are involved, all other stakeholders and not just the government".

Mr Cameron responded: "Very wise words. I will be going to the north of the country as well and I think what Aung San Suu Kyi has said is absolutely right."
(The Herald-heraldscotland)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 10

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • ind Thursday, 24 October 2013 06:38 AM

    These days the burning issue of world leaders is Sri Lanka !!!

    Nodrog Thursday, 24 October 2013 06:38 AM

    If the UK can condone Adele Balasingham living in there then attending the CHOGM is an easy decision

    Abdul Thursday, 24 October 2013 07:07 AM

    you got a long way to go uk. Austrlia was like you once. now they learned their practical lesson.

    Shocking Thursday, 24 October 2013 07:14 AM

    How come everyone hates SL?

    Prof. Calculas Thursday, 24 October 2013 07:27 AM

    A single term prime minister who has no support in the "House of Commons". Trying to enjoy as much as possible in the given time.

    RamUK Thursday, 24 October 2013 10:41 AM

    also all the govt high commissions and its members should go home if the involved in war crimes

    sinhala modaya Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:01 AM

    not hate only very jealous that we beat their poodle tigers, the votes they will lose from terror diaspora in their countries

    Saskia Thursday, 24 October 2013 11:51 AM

    What a funny. There is nothing special what SL has to be jealous. Only thing where others can be jealous is the climate of SL.

    Saud Thursday, 24 October 2013 05:29 PM

    Well said Mr. David Cameron !

    Nims Saturday, 26 October 2013 08:25 AM

    All the criminals hiding in the west who were involved in war crimes during the past 30 years must be brought to face HR violations and war crimes. Not only Sri Lanka Government.


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H