UK’s CHOGM attendance undecided – Alistair Burt

2013-02-06  UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt, said that UK has not yet decided on the level of any attendance at CHOGM. The minister was participating in a live Q&A session on Sri Lanka via twitter, Alistair Burt ‏@AlistairBurtFCO, yesterday. Following are the tweeted questions by various individuals and groups, and the answers by Alistair Burt:    Q: Tell us if your Prime Minister (of UK) may not go to Sri Lanka for CHOGM.  A: I made it clear that UK has not yet decided on the level of any attendance at CHOGM. Q: Would UK ask CMAG to discuss Sri Lanka and possible venue change for CHOGM 2013? A: UK not on CMAG. Repeat that we expect host to demonstrate strong Commonwealth values. Q: What actions is UK taking to ensure Sri Lanka is effectively committed to end impunity for war crimes? A: Raised in UPR in Geneva, supported UN HRC resolution in March, continue to press with govt. Despite this, not enough progress. Q: Freedom from Torture is filing new evidence with UN. Can UK apply more pressure to SL? A: UK concerned about human rights in SL including torture. Support HRC action. Q: Will UK support a call from Tamils to hold a referendum to give expression to their desire re a political solution? A: Details of political settlement must be for Sri Lankans themselves. We encourage TNA and govt. to make serious progress.  GOSL brought forward an action plan with timelines. We welcomed this and encourage progress in accordance. Q: Is Colombo a proper place for holding the CHOGM despite Sri Lanka’s poor human rights record? A: We look to host of CHOGM to adhere to Commonwealth values. Location for CHOGM was Commonwealth’s choice. Q: When you see progress, how would you define reconciliation, as it applies to Sri Lanka? A: Physical change such as roads or return from camps is genuine but not sufficient. Political settlement fundamental. Q: Will the UK support resolution at Human Rights Council 22 which addresses deteriorating human rights in Sri Lanka? A: Yes. Still believe that although progress has been made, much remains to be done. Hope SL Govt. will work constructively. Q: Whether you or Her Majesty’s Government considers May 2009 is the end of the 30-year-old conflict in Sri Lanka? A: The war ended in 2009 but the route of conflict as set out by LLRC still needs to be addressed. Q: How’s UK protecting Sri Lankan human rights defenders who call for accountability for human rights violations? A: Essential that human rights defenders are free to speak out as we continue to make clear to SL authorities. Q: In what ways is the Govt. of Sri Lanka upholding Commonwealth values? A: We look to SL to demonstrate those Commonwealth values of good governance, rule of law and human rights. Q: In what ways is the Govt. of Sri Lanka upholding Commonwealth values? A: It is obvious we are prepared to challenge where there are concerns about these values. Q: What is your vision for Sri Lanka? A: An understanding of the past, reconciliation in the present and a future based on Commonwealth values. Take statements of visit as a whole. Have always made clear resp of all parties to conflict. Role of LTTE must not be minimized. Q: When you see progress, how would you define reconciliation, as it applies to Sri Lanka? A: Physical change such as roads or return from camps is genuine but not sufficient. Political settlement fundamental.