UK 'will consider all options available' says FCO

Reiterating the need for "progress" on the implementation of the UNHRC resolution by the "end of the year", the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it "will consider all options available to press the Sri Lankan Government to fulfil its obligations."

Responding to a letter sent by British Tamils Forum (BTF) objecting to Mahinda Rajapaksa's UK visit, the FCO said:

"We have consistently called for a credible, thorough and independent investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by both sides during the conflict."

"The UK continues to monitor the situation in the north and east of the country and we consistently raise concerns over access for NGOs and seek further progress on scaling back of high security zones."

"We pressed for and welcomed the resolution on Sri Lanka agreed at the UN Human Rights Council in March, and we have called on the Government of Sri Lanka to play its part in implementing the resolution."

"With international partners, we will continue to encourage Sri Lanka to make early progress, including during the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council in October."

"We expect to see progress by the end of the year and will consider all options available to press the Sri Lankan Government to fulfil its obligations."

In a statement, BTF asserted that the FCO's response to their letter had "exposed the spin" by the Sri Lankan President’s spokesman, Bandula Jeyasekara, who had claimed that Cameron and Rajapaksa "had held a 'cordial' meeting and that the President had briefed the Prime Minister 'on the development in the country."

The FCO's written response to BTF has been reproduced in full:

'All Commonwealth Heads of State were invited to London, by the Commonwealth Secretary General, to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. This included President Rajapaksa.

The British Government does have concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka. We seek to promote progress through direct lobbying, working with international partners, and funding human rights projects. We have consistently called for a credible, thorough and independent investigation into allegations of war crimes committed by both sides during the conflict. We also regularly urge the Sri Lankan Government to improve the human rights situation for vulnerable groups and to investigate incidents that happen and prosecute those responsible. The UK continues to monitor the situation in the north and east of the country and we consistently raise concerns over access for NGOs and seek further progress on scaling back of high security zones.

We pressed for and welcomed the resolution on Sri Lanka agreed at the UN Human Rights Council in March, and we have called on the Government of Sri Lanka to play its part in implementing the resolution. The Prime Minister emphasised this in a short discussion with President Rajapaksa at the Commonwealth Secretary General’s lunch on 6 June 2012. The Foreign Secretary made the same points when he met the Sri Lankan Minister for External Affairs on 6 June 2012. With international partners, we will continue to encourage Sri Lanka to make early progress, including during the Universal Periodic Review of Sri Lanka at the Human Rights Council in October.

After the transmission of the Channel 4 documentary on 14 June 2011 entitled ‘ Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields’, the Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt issued a public statement that the UK Government needs to see a serious and full response to evidences of alleged war crimes. We expect to see progress by the end of the year and will consider all options available to press the Sri Lankan Government to fulfil its obligations.

The British Government believes that reconciliation and lasting peace in Sri Lanka can be achieved through an inclusive political solution that addresses the underlying causes of the conflict and takes into account the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all Sri Lanka’s communities.'

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