New Zealand PM talks human rights with MR
Singapore vowed not to "take sides" on Sri Lanka's human rights issue, the official news portal reported Sunday.
Monday, 18 Nov 2013
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key says the issue of human rights, including the abduction of citizens, dominated his meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Mr Key had a 15-minute one on one discusssion with the president, whose country hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the capital Colombo.
Amnesty International says there is still a climate of fear and intimidation in Sri Lanka, in part because citizens continue to disappear in what are known as 'white van abductions'.
Parents of those who have disappeared over the years, who number in the thousands, put out a plea to the international community to put pressure on the Sri Lankan Government.
Mr Key asked the president specifically about abductions and was told the Government has a process for identifying those who remain missing, and where they might be.
He says Sri Lanka has presented New Zealand with an elephant for Auckland, in recognition of the two countries' burgeoning relationship. (Radio NZ)
Monday, 18 Nov 2013
Singapore vowed not to "take sides" on Sri Lanka's human rights issue, the official news portal reported Sunday.
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that more time is needed to heal wound after a prolonged war ended.
"We are observers and don't take sides," said Lee.
Sri Lanka has been under intense scrutiny over alleged human rights abuses during the last phase of the three-decade conflict with the Tamil Tiger rebels which ended in 2009.
Briefing Lee on Sri Lanka's situation, Rajapaksa said now peace has returned and Sri Lanka is on the path to development.
He said that since the end of the conflict a great deal of progress has been made in resettlement, rehabilitation, reconstruction and reconciliation.
The bilateral talks were held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which runs from Friday to Sunday in Colombo. It is the first time in 24 years an Asian country hosts the summit of the 53-member bloc comprising Britain and its former colonies. (Xinhua)
