France tells Sri Lanka “end emergency laws”

France’s Human Rights Ambassador François Zimeray, who spent three days visiting the island, criticised the government to continue to enforce what AFP described as “draconian legislation”.

"Ending of the emergency (in force since 1983) should have been the first consequence of ending the war (in May)," said the Ambassador.

"The fact that the conflict is over should be an opportunity to put an end to emergency laws.”

The “State of Emergency” that allow these laws to be enforced were extended for another month after a motion was passed in parliament.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) were the only parties to vote against the motion.

These laws were used earlier on this year to sentence Tamil journalist J Tissanaiyagam to 20 years in jail, an issue that even US President Barack Obama commented on.

The French Ambassador’s visit coincided with an impending EU ruling on GSP+ trade concessions.

This is an issue that would influence Paris’s stance with regards to future trading with Sri Lanka, he pointed out.

While the envoy stressed that they were not trying to impose “western values” upon Sri Lanka, he stressed that the government has a duty to implement its own laws to protect human rights and ensure the rule of law.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, who arranged for the Human Rights Ambassador Zimeray to visit Sri Lanka, also condemned Colombo, for their treatment of civilians after the civil war has ended.

“Six months after fighting ended in the oldest conflict in Asia, the population of Sri Lanka is suffering the consequences of this dreadful war on a daily basis,” reported the Foreign Minister in a statement.

“Tens of thousands of people are still being held prisoner in camps and kept under the control of armed forces. The camps must now be permanently dismantled and the humanitarian organizations must be able to provide assistance and protection without any restriction to the displaced populations.”

“Several months after the end of the armed conflict, we are waiting for the Sri Lankan authorities to take resolute action to dispense justice to compensate the pain of all the victims of this conflict,” said Kouchner.