Sri Lanka Human Rights 2021-06-15
2021-06-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the ongoing human rights issues in Sri Lanka, particularly following recent events and the need for international action.
What steps he is taking to address human rights violations in Sri Lanka. This includes concerns over accountability for war crimes committed during the civil war and the need for international monitoring of the situation.
At the UN Human Rights Council in March, we successfully led a new resolution which expresses deep concern about the situation in Sri Lanka and enhances the UN's monitoring role. For the first time, it requests that the UN collect evidence of human rights violations, for use in future accountability processes.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the FCDO's efforts but is concerned about ensuring that evidence collected meets standards necessary to impose sanctions on officials accused of overseeing atrocities.
What actions can my hon. Friend take to ensure that evidence collected satisfies conditions for sanctions against current Sri Lankan officials who are credibly accused of overseeing the enforced disappearance and sexual assault of thousands of Sri Lankan civilians during the conflict?
As my hon. Friend will know, this Government have led international efforts over many years to promote accountability, reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka, including at the UN Human Rights Council. The new UK-led resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council in March included, for the first time, a request for the UN to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence of human rights abuses and violations so that this can be used to support future accountability processes.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about conditions for sanctions but the answer did not address these specific measures.
Response accuracy