Labour demands Lanka probe

December 7, 2013

Britain’s main opposition Labour party says it will push Prime Minister David Cameron to seek an international led inquiry into human rights in Sri Lanka and cut short the deadline of March 2014.

Labour MP and shadow Foreign Minister Douglas Alexander said that 2014 could be a crucial year for accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, given the growing calls for an independent, international war crimes inquiry to be established.

Alexander said this after meeting a group of Tamil Diaspora organisations in London including the Global Tamil Forum (GTF).

“This was a useful and productive meeting with Tamil community leaders. Our discussions allowed me to thank them for all they have done to raise the issue of human rights in Sri Lanka here in the UK. They made clear their commitment to work together on this important issue in the months and years ahead. Working with the Tamil community here in the UK, Labour will continue to highlight these issues and urge action from the Government of Sri Lanka,” he said.

Alexander said that British Prime Minister David Cameron left Colombo with no improvements in Human Rights secured.

Representatives from the Tamil Information Centre, the Global Tamil Forum , Tamils for Labour , Tamils Against Genocide, British Tamils Forum, the Chairman of Hindu Temples, Tamil National Alliance UK and the Tamil Youth organization attended the meeting.

At the meeting Alaexander said that along with the Tamil community in the UK, Labour will not let the matter rest and will urge the Prime Minister to immediately join calls for an international led inquiry into human rights and cut short the deadline of March 2014 that he has granted to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Cameron had earlier said his government will seek progress in Sri Lanka by March 2014, failing which he will push for an international inquiry through the UN Human Rights Council.  (Colombo Gazette)