Sri Lankan Tamils and Human Rights — [Sir Edward Leigh in the Chair]

She congratulated Martyn Day for bringing the debate and highlighted that the situation for Sri Lankan Tamils remains unchanged since her last speech in March 2021. She recounted her personal experiences during the civil war, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice. McLaughlin also criticized the Sri Lankan Government's lack of progress on human rights issues and questioned UK's influence over these matters.

Emphasised the need for economic support for Sri Lanka while also addressing social justice concerns, including the lack of recognition of war atrocities. Questioned the role of the current Foreign Secretary regarding a port project in which he had a financial interest. Given the scepticism about yet another announcement of this sort of process, will the Minister pledge to continue more truthful and thorough approaches? For example, with regard to the question raised earlier in the debate about the role of the ICC for certain of the terrible events that happened during the civil war, is it the assessment of the FCDO that there is a case to answer in the ICC?

The hon. Member expressed concern over the openness and transparency of the British Foreign Office in relation to its dealings with China and Sri Lanka, particularly regarding the lobbying activities of the current Foreign Secretary. The MP highlighted the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils over many years, emphasizing economic crisis and human rights abuses. He urged for sanctions on individuals involved in war crimes and advocated for the repeal of Prevention of Terrorism Act in Sri Lanka. The MP also raised concerns about China's strategic investment in Hambantota port and Port City Colombo, urging the UK government to engage seriously with India and China.

Congratulates the hon. Member for securing this debate and reiterates harrowing facts about Tamils' suffering in Sri Lanka, including the Mullivaikkal genocide. Calls for international intervention due to Sri Lankan Government's denial of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Highlights pervasive militarisation in Tamil areas and calls for a reduction in military spending as part of IMF bail-out conditions. Asks for an update on resolution 30/1 regarding new information collection and pushes for sanctions against those accused of war crimes. I understand the Minister's point about not commenting on sanctions from the Front Bench, but could I urge him once again to communicate the strength of feeling in this debate back to the FCDO? We have been asking for this for many years now. On the point about the ICC, it is independent, but private individuals are taking forward independent referrals to the ICC against certain members of Sri Lankan military society. Although the UK Government are not engaged in that process, will the Minister review whether the FCDO could, at the UN, encourage the information being collected as part of the recent human rights resolution to be passed on to those who are trying to bring forward that prosecution?

The hon. Member raised concerns about human rights violations, specifically the lack of access to clean drinking water for Tamils in northern Sri Lanka and the refusal by the Sri Lankan Government to allow independent assessments.

The hon. Member highlighted the ongoing use of Sri Lanka's Prevention of Terrorism Act, which is still in force and used arbitrarily to discriminate against and intimidate Tamil communities.

Ms Daby expressed concern about the Sri Lankan Government's withdrawal from a UN-led reconciliation process and the impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act on Tamil and Muslim minorities. She highlighted the need for accountability, justice, and action by the UK Government to address human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Jeremy Corbyn shared his experience from 1984 when he raised human rights issues with the then President of Sri Lanka. He emphasised the need for closure and understanding for families of those who disappeared during that period. Called for unfettered access for UN human rights monitors to ensure independent assessments of the situation in Sri Lanka.

Jim Shannon highlighted the ongoing human rights violations against Sri Lankan Tamils, emphasizing that perpetrators of civil war atrocities remain unpunished and continue to hold governmental positions. He noted the Prevention of Terrorism Act's impact on religious minorities, including forced cremations during the pandemic and destruction of Hindu and Muslim sites for Buddhist temple construction. Shannon called for a new strategy combining bilateral and multilateral efforts to protect human rights. Suggested that human rights issues should be an integral part of economic discussions with Sri Lanka and stressed the importance of making those ties conditional on respect for human rights.

Mr McDonnell highlighted the ongoing issue of human rights abuses against Sri Lankan Tamils, citing examples such as disappearances, arrests during remembrance day events, deaths in custody due to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and continued militarisation on Tamil lands. He criticised the UK's failure to use sanctions or leverage trade agreements to pressure Sri Lanka into respecting human rights. I do not want to be too harsh to the hon. Gentleman, particularly as he is standing in for another Minister, but the hon. Member for Glasgow North East (Anne McLaughlin) used part of her speech from 2021 and this sounds distinctly like the same response that we had at that debate, almost word for word. Could the Minister address one issue for me? This is solely up to the Government: will they now explore the use of Magnitsky clause sanctions against known human rights abusers from Sri Lanka?

Maria Miller highlighted the challenges faced by Sri Lankan Tamils, including discrimination and threats of violence. She noted concerns about the Prevention of Terrorism Act being used against Tamils on weak grounds and restrictions on attending memorials for those killed or lost during the civil war.

Mr Scully mentioned local efforts to celebrate Tamil Heritage Month while acknowledging the difficult history of human rights abuses, and asked for proactive measures instead of repeated resolutions without action.

Hundreds of people from the Tamil community in his constituency have written to him expressing concern about their families' futures in north-east Sri Lanka. He highlighted the violent crackdown on Tamils commemorating war dead and reported incidents of land grabs, destruction of places of worship, and arrests under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Ms McDonagh criticised the lack of progress on prosecuting war crimes since 2009, calling for a change from 'mealy-mouthed diplomacy' to taking decisive action against those who committed atrocities. She also questioned the Foreign Secretary's role in promoting Chinese plans for a new port in Colombo. Questioned the ongoing lack of an independent truth and reconciliation process despite years of appeals from the Foreign Office, urging the Minister to explore alternative approaches.