Writing in The Guardian on Tuesday, UK MPs, including former UK foreign secretaries, Douglas Alexander MP, David Miliband MP, Jack Straw MP and Margaret Beckett MP, urged member states to back a resolution tabled at the UNHRC.
Extracts reproduced below:
"Establishment of military, rather than independent, courts of inquiry to investigate some army and navy actions suggests true accountability will not be forthcoming from within Sri Lanka."
"In November 2011 the UN Committee Against Torture published a damning report on Sri Lanka, revealing the extent of allegations of human rights violations and torture by state actors. The militarisation of the Tamil majority areas in the north of the island, and the curtailment of their economic, political and social rights, continues to increase tensions between already polarised communities and undermines prospects for peace."
"The US resolution calls for implementation of the constructive recommendations on reconciliation made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission; asks the government to present a plan to implement the recommendations and investigate the alleged violations at the end of the conflict; and offers international support and technical assistance to Sri Lanka to help address these issues.
"This resolution, if implemented, would be an important first step in ensuring long-lasting peace. We, and all council members, must support it."
