As Canada continuously emphasizes its central pillar of the foreign policy, promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, in the international forums, one of the worst offenders of it, Sri Lanka continuously takes the centre stage of its criticism.
Guillermo E. Rishchynski, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, in a statement to the Third Committee on the promotion and protection of human rights at United Nations, on October 26, 2011, said, “Canada is also concerned that the underlying sources of conflict in Sri Lanka are not being addressed. As such, we encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to engage constructively on a process of political reconciliation and accountability.”“We also support calls for an independent investigation into credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by both parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka, as recommended by the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka.” He further said.The excerpts from the statement by Canada at the United Nations as follows,”Thank you Mr. Chair,The promotion and protection of human rights, a cornerstone of this organization, is a central pillar of Canada’s foreign policy. Canada stands firmly on the protection of human rights and takes principled positions on important issues to promote freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.Over the past century, the world witnessed brutal despotism, including totalitarian regimes which enslaved their own peoples. We recognize that even today, implementation of human rights remains a challenge. Yet, we are hopeful that we can find common ground in order to advance the rights and fundamental freedoms which we all hold dear…….Canada is also concerned that the underlying sources of conflict in Sri Lanka are not being addressed. As such, we encourage the Government of Sri Lanka to engage constructively on a process of political reconciliation and accountability. We also support calls for an independent investigation into credible allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights committed by both parties to the conflict in Sri Lanka, as recommended by the UN Secretary General’s Panel of Experts on Accountability in Sri Lanka.”