Highlighting the Sri Lankan government's "lack of both accountability and meaningful attempts at reconciliation", Canada's foreign affairs minister, John Baird, urged Sri Lanka to take "decisive action" following the release of the LLRC report and "demonstrate the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law."
In a statement published Wednesday, Baird expressed concern that, "the report does not fully address the grave accusations of serious human rights violations" and noted that "many of the allegations outlined by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka have not been adequately addressed".
"We continue to call for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated by both sides in the conflict," Baird urged.
Baird had raised concerns regarding accountability for war crimes, with his Sri Lankan counterpart, GL Peiris, September last year, and criticised the UN's inaction on the issue.
Wednesday's statement adds to the on-going calls from a number of Canadian MPs and prime minister, for a credible, independent investigation into the allegations.
The statement has been reproduced in full below:
“Canada notes the public release of the report of Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. Although we are still studying the report, the commission has addressed and provided recommendations in some areas of concern, including reconciliation, the rule of law and demilitarization.
“Canada strongly urges the Government of Sri Lanka to implement the commission’s recommendations and develop an implementation road map with clear timelines while also addressing the issues the report did not cover. The report’s recommendations—if implemented—can contribute to the process of political reconciliation that must now take place to address the root causes of deadly strife and division. However, to date, we have seen a lack of both accountability and meaningful attempts at reconciliation on the part of the Sri Lankan government. Decisive action is now required.
“Canada remains concerned that the report does not fully address the grave accusations of serious human rights violations that occurred toward the end of the conflict. Many of the allegations outlined by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka have not been adequately addressed by this report. We continue to call for an independent investigation into the credible and serious allegations raised by the UN Secretary-General’s Panel that international humanitarian law and human rights were violated by both sides in the conflict.
“The Government of Sri Lanka must demonstrate the principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.”
