Canada declares support for international inquiry on Sri Lanka

03 March 2014
Canada has stated that it will support an international inquiry mechanism to investigate human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, at the United Nations Human Rights Council earlier today.

Speaking on the opening day of the 25^th session of the council, Lynne Yelich, the Canadian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Consular, said,

“We regret the unwillingness of the government to engage constructively on the substance of various reports or to take genuine steps for reconciliation and accountability.”

She went on to add,

“Previous internal mechanisms have regrettably remained secret, partial or unfilled."

"The continued inability to acknowledge what has occurred combined with increasing rights violations and abuses, will not only continue to damage the rule of law and democracy in this vibrant country, but will risk undermining economic gains and a return to instability.”

“In the absence of credible actions by the Government of Sri Lanka, Canada supports the call for an international inquiry mechanism.”

See the video of her address below.

Follow our Twitter account for live updates from Geneva, throughout the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council here - @TamilGuardian