The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils (APPGT) has welcomed the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka in a statement released on Tuesday.
Several members of the APPGT, from the ruling coalition and the opposition Labour Party, attended the 19th UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, including Siobhain McDonough MP, Tom Brake MP and John Mann MP.
Full text of statement:
"APPGT welcome the United Nations Human Rights Council on successfully adopting a resolution on Sri Lanka. We see this as a first step towards an international effort to bring sustainable peace in the Island.
"The session was attended by representatives of APPGT – Lee Scott MP Ilford North Chair; Siobhain McDonough MP Mitcham and Morden Vice Chair; Tom Brake MP Carshalton and Wallington and John Mann MP Bassetlaw.
"All the MPs took part in several meetings with delegates from several countries outlining the situation and conveying the requirement for supporting the resolution.
"We have watched the most harrowing footages of War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity on Channel 4’s documentary last week titled “Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished”. The documentary presents a basis for an investigation and the subsequent prosecution of those responsible for these heinous crimes.
"Accountability is paramount for any long-term sustainable political solution in Sri Lanka. An International independent investigation into War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity committed during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka in 2009 is essential for this.
"The All Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils wants to send a strong message to those who intimidated and threatened the members of NGOs undertaking human rights activities in the very council and we will take this up as one of our highest priorities."We would like to thank the mission from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for their support and help during our visit to the United Nations Human Rights Council sessions."
