The emergence of new evidence of war crimes against Tamil civilians has led to questions on Britain's tacit backing of the Sri Lankan government.
Speaking in the House of Commons against the deportation of Tamil refugees to Sri Lanka, opposition (Labour) MP Siobhain McDonagh said the UK government had Tamil blood on its hands.
McDonagh condemned the continuing deportations of Tamil refugees to Sri Lanka, referring to the persistent reports torture and extra-judicial killings there.
"There is evidence of continuing abuse against Tamils, including torture and extra-judicial killings. The president of Sri Lanka, a probable war crimes suspect, has taken over enormous powers over the judiciary and policing.
"The British government is supposed to be one of the leading forces in the Commonwealth, yet it is not only turning a blind eye it is sending plane load after plane load of Tamils back. It takes no measure to monitor them and Sri Lanka does not allow any journalists or independent observers.
"The people on these planes ... have identified themselves as Tamils and against the Sri Lankan government. Britain is flying them on specially chartered flights. It is not like they are arriving in cognito. Even worse the UK BA (Border Agency) has actually shared documents with the Sri Lankan authorities. We might as well paint targets on their back.
"To me it's obvious that Tamils have a reason to fear for their safety in Sri Lanka. Given the emergence of yet more evidence of atrocities, how could they be safe? I think the British parliament needs to say whether we want our country to continue with these deportations and to continue to have Tamil blood on our hands.”
See video of McDonagh's remarks in the House of Commons on June 16 in Channel 4's report:
