Sri Lanka Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart on their cooperation with the investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights into alleged abuses in that country. [205438] Mr Swire: We continue to urge the Sri Lankan Government to fully co-operate with the UN Human Rights Council resolution of March 2014 and the international investigation into allegations of violations and abuses of international law on both sides of Sri Lanka’s military conflict it established. In his written ministerial statement of 31 March, the then Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), stated that ‘we encourage the Sri Lankan government to fully co-operate with the resolution, and to work alongside the international community for the benefit of its people’. Our high commissioner to Sri Lanka has raised this point directly with members of the Sri Lankan Government, and in public statements. 21 July 2014 : Column 879W Ms Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Sri Lankan counterpart on steps to bring to justice people responsible for the recent inter-communal violence in that country. [205439] Mr Swire: We continue to raise our concerns about attacks against religious minorities in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan Government, including the most recent violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala. Through our high commissioner in Colombo, we have urged the Sri Lankan Government to take early action to promote peaceful co-existence between all communities, noting the importance of ensuring any acts of violence, intimidation or threats are thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to justice. On 7 July, I also met members of the Sri Lankan Muslim community resident in the UK whose family and friends were directly affected by recent violence in order to hear their concerns. Mark Hendrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the religious conversion bill in Sri Lanka on the situation of religious minorities in that country. [205627] Mr Swire: The Anti-Conversion Bill was presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament ahead of Sri Lankas general election in 2010. However it did not pass, as Parliament was subsequently dissolved for the election. As a result, the Bill would now need to be re-presented to the Sri Lankan Parliament if it is to be enacted into law. If passed, the Act would have provided privileged status to Buddhism. The promotion of human rights, including religious freedom, is at the very heart of British foreign policy. The British Government regularly speaks out internationally to condemn instances of violence and discrimination against individuals or groups because of their religion, regardless of the country or faith concerned. Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to his Sri Lankan counterpart (a) on that countrys duties to uphold human rights and (b) in response to recent attacks on Muslims in that country. [206124] Mr Swire: We regularly raise human rights concerns with the Sri Lankan Government and urge them to make progress on reconciliation and accountability. The UK was a main co-sponsor of the UN Human Rights Council resolution passed in March, which establishes an international investigation into allegations of violations and abuses of international law on both sides of Sri Lanka’s military conflict. The resolution also calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to end continuing incidents of human rights violations and abuses in Sri Lanka. We also continue to raise our concerns about attacks against religious minorities in Sri Lanka with the Sri Lankan Government, including the most recent violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala. Through our high commissioner in Colombo, we have urged the Sri Lankan authorities to take early action to promote peaceful co-existence between all communities, noting the importance
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 09:49:25 +0000
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