Parliamentarian calls on Canada to refer Sri Lanka to International Criminal Court
A Canadian parliamentarian called on the government to submit the case of Sri Lanka’s mass atrocities to the United Nations Security Council for referral to the International Criminal Court on Wednesday.
Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park, said the armed conflict in Sri Lanka which ended seven years ago still had unresolved “grave allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Tamil people”.
“These victims demand justice,” he continued.
Mr Anandasangaree went on to state that “accountability cannot be achieved without victims having confidence in an impartial independent and internationally supported system devoid of political influence and entrenched in the rule of law”.
“The Sri Lankan state has demonstrated its unwillingness to live up to its commitments to the international community,” he added, following months of statements from Sri Lankan leaders refusing to allow international participation in any accountability mechanism.
“Canada must therefore submit the matter to the United Nations Security Council for referral to the International Criminal Court,” said Mr Anandasangaree.
“For generations Canadians have stood up for human rights on the world stage. This is a clear opportunity for Canada to lead the way.”
19 May 2016
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A Canadian parliamentarian called on the government to submit the case of Sri Lanka’s mass atrocities to the United Nations Security Council for referral to the International Criminal Court on Wednesday.Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough-Rouge Park, said the armed conflict in Sri Lanka which ended seven years ago still had unresolved “grave allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide against the Tamil people”.
“These victims demand justice,” he continued.
Mr Anandasangaree went on to state that “accountability cannot be achieved without victims having confidence in an impartial independent and internationally supported system devoid of political influence and entrenched in the rule of law”.
“The Sri Lankan state has demonstrated its unwillingness to live up to its commitments to the international community,” he added, following months of statements from Sri Lankan leaders refusing to allow international participation in any accountability mechanism.
“Canada must therefore submit the matter to the United Nations Security Council for referral to the International Criminal Court,” said Mr Anandasangaree.
“For generations Canadians have stood up for human rights on the world stage. This is a clear opportunity for Canada to lead the way.”
