UK NGOs urge David Cameron to keep Sri Lanka promiseUK NGOs urge David Cameron to keep Sri Lanka promise
5 March 2014
To coincide with Sri Lanka's statement during the High-Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), UNA-UK joined Freedom From Torture , All Insurances Rights Group , redress and the Sri Lanka Campaign in urging the UK to push for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity levelled against both parties to the long-running conflict.
The Groups' letter to the UK Prime Minister urges him to his Call Stand by for an independent, International inquiry. Notes that the unresolved allegations IT, alongside ongoing Serious Human rights violations , are Hindering Progress towards a lasting peace and Reconciliation. IT points to a report prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights On Sri Lanka , which recommends that an "International inquiry mechanism" could be set up and whether any domestic Questions Investigation Body Carry out an impartial, given current levels of Executive interference.
The letter is part of a global campaign for an international investigation. Today, Desmond Tutu and OTHER activists joined in calling for countries that have experienced conflict Hands From Commission of Inquiry. An International petition is also Gathering steam.
UNA-UK is particularly concerned that the lack of robust action to date is undermining the standing of the UN, which has already had to apologise for its handling of the crisis in 2008-09. Edward Mortimer, former UN Director of Communications and a supporter of this campaign, has said: "I fear this may be the Organization's last chance to retrieve any credibility on Sri Lanka."