Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, has told reporters in Colombo that Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper will not be attending the next Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting due be held in Sri Lanka, unless more is done to address human rights violations on the island.
Speaking whilst visiting the country, Kenney said,
“We will not go along, to get along”
"Canada again calls on the government of Sri Lanka to live up to the standard of membership in the Commonwealth and show tangible progress on a process of national political reconciliation and to seriously address allegations of human rights violations by both sides during the civil war... Our Government will continue to stand up against human rights abuses abroad, including with commonwealth member countries."
He went on to express "profound concern over human rights violations and lack of progress in political reconciliation in the field of accountability for crimes that have been committed at the end of the war".
Kenney also addressed the issue of asylum seekers fleeing the island, stating,
"We believe there are a mixture of motivations for Sri Lankans seeking (to move out), one of them probably economic opportunity,"
"But we are also very concerned that in this post-war environment there appears to be growing pressure for emigration from Sri Lanka, whether to Australia, to Canada or elsewhere due to push factors in this country,"
The lack of progress in achieving a political solution, accountability for crimes committed during the last stages of the war, resettlement and human rights issues are some of the factors that are compelling individuals to seek asylum in Canada and this is an area of profound concern for Canada,”
"There are more people trying to enter Canada and Australia through illegal means now, than during the period of the conflict – this is a demonstration of the worsening situation".
