Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Tuesday 21 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Elliot Colburn urged the UK to attach human rights conditions to any IMF bail-out for Sri Lanka.
  • The UK is working on international debt forums and continues to lobby the Sri Lankan Government for human rights improvements.
  • The UK Prime Minister offered support to Sri Lanka through multilateral organisations like the World Bank and IMF.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elliot Colburn
Foreign Affairs
Context

The question stems from ongoing human rights issues and post-conflict accountability challenges in Sri Lanka, exacerbated by economic crisis and increased militarisation. The situation is further complicated by the government's request for an IMF bail-out.

Question

What diplomatic steps she is taking to help address human rights concerns in Sri Lanka? As chair of the all-party group on Tamils, I urge my hon. Friend to ensure that the UK does what it can at the IMF to attach human rights conditions to any bail-out, similar to the GSP Plus arrangement.

Answer from Vicky Ford

We are closely monitoring the situation and urge the Sri Lankan Government to engage with UNHRC resolution 46/1. We will work on international debt forums for solutions and continue lobbying for human rights improvements, though there is no provision in IMF process for political or human rights-linked conditionality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about attaching human rights conditions to the bail-out was not directly addressed due to lack of legal provisions allowing such linkage.

How: There Is No Provision In Imf Process For Political Or Human Rights-Linked Conditionality.

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Q2 Elliot Colburn
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Rajapaksa Government faces significant challenges due to an ongoing economic crisis, leading to increased militarisation and a request for IMF bail-out. The situation threatens long-term peace and justice issues.

Question

Given the increased militarisation and the draft bail-out from the International Monetary Fund, may I urge my hon. Friend to ensure that any bail-out includes human rights conditions similar to GSP Plus arrangement?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We will work on international debt forums and continue lobbying the Sri Lankan Government, despite no provision in IMF process for political or human rights-linked conditionality. We support multilateral organisations like World Bank and Paris Club to find solutions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about attaching human rights conditions was not directly addressed due to lack of legal provisions allowing such linkage.

How: There Is No Provision In Imf Process For Political Or Human Rights-Linked Conditionality.

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Q3 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Economy Foreign Affairs
Context

Commonwealth leaders will meet in Kigali, with discussions expected to include human rights issues and economic stability for Sri Lanka. The country faces pressing economic challenges that threaten regional stability.

Question

Will the Government go above and beyond what IMF is offering and support Sri Lanka's people by helping bring economic stability through Commonwealth leadership?

Answer from Vicky Ford

Our Prime Minister spoke with his counterpart on 30 May, offering UK support through multilateral organisations such as World Bank and IMF. We have a significant voice in international debt forums and work closely with Paris Club members to find solutions to the debt crisis.

Answered
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