UK renews pressure on Sri Lanka over Human Rights probe

The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victim’ groups, including members of the Tamil community 

By Sunil Jayasiri   

The United Kingdom has renewed international pressure on Sri Lanka over human rights and accountability issues, calling for proper investigations into past abuses and internationally accepted excavations of the Chemmani mass graves.   

In a written answer to UK Parliament, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Seema Malhotra said the human rights situation in Sri Lanka “needs to be improved,” while emphasising that longstanding grievances and legitimate demands for truth and reconciliation must be properly addressed.   

“The UK Government is clear that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka needs to be improved. Long-standing grievances and legitimate calls for truth and reconciliation should be addressed properly to ensure justice for all communities and victim’ groups, including members of the Tamil community,” she said.  

She specifically highlighted the importance of conducting the Chemmani mass grave excavations in accordance with international legal standards.   

Malhotra said the UK continues to regularly engage the Sri Lankan Government on these concerns. According to her, the UK Deputy Prime Minister raised human rights issues during his February visit to Sri Lanka in discussions with the President, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations, and northern political leaders.   

She also revealed that she had also discussed the matter with Sri Lankan Ministers during their visit to the United Kingdom last October.   

The Minister added that the UK is continuing to lead efforts at the United Nations Human Rights Council together with Core Group partners to maintain international focus on Sri Lanka’s human rights record.   

She said Britain would continue urging Sri Lanka to uphold international human rights obligations, safeguard civic space, and move towards an inclusive political settlement that addresses the concerns of all communities.