Britain continues military training with Sri Lanka despite raising human rights concerns

by Viruben
Mar 26, 2021

Responding to a question posted by Britain’s Opposition Deputy Chief Whip, Minister of State for Defence, Baroness Goldie revealed that the UK was continuing its training of Sri Lankan armed forces despite having raised concerns over possible war crimes and the deteriorating human rights conditions in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council.

This announcement follows fierce criticism of the government by Labour Shadow Minister for Asia and the Pacific, Stephen Kinnock, who in parliament highlights that UK defence advisors met “with at least four senior commanders of the Sri Lankan military who stand accused of gross human rights violations”.

With respects to British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, Kinnock stated:

"He's happy to pursue trade deals with governments that are committing human rights abuses".

He further questioned the government’s failure to sanction Sri Lankan officials implicated in war crimes stating, "not a single Sri Lankan Government Minister official or military officer has been designated, could the Minister what’s taking so long?”

During his statement, he also drew criticism on Police Scotland which had recently deployed 90 officers to Sri Lanka and was continuing its training contracts. He questions

Earlier this year, Labour MP Taiwo Owatemi further raised concerns over Britain’s exporting of military equipment worth £149,724 to Sri Lanka in 2020.

During parliamentary debates, a number of MPs from across the political spectrum urged the government to impose Magnitsky sanctions on Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes and human rights atrocities.

Read the full statement in parliament here.

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