On 21 September 2012, UNA-UK and partners - the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Sri Lanka Campaign, Human Rights Watch and others - sent a joint letter to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, urging him to raise human rights issues with the Government of Sri Lanka, which is due to host the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
The letter outlined the serious gaps in the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law that still exist in the country, and encouraged the Secretary-General to uphold the values of the Commonwealth by calling for Sri Lanka to implement the recommendations of the UN Panel of Experts and its own 'Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission'. These include the UN Panel's call for a full, credible and independent investigation into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the end phases of the conflict in 2009. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has already said that he would not attend the 2013 Commonwealth meeting unless clear improvements are seen in Sri Lanka.
UNA-UK's advocacy follows a decision by its 2011 Policy Conference to undertake work on promoting justice, reconciliation and a sustainable peace in Sri Lanka.
NEW: Click here for a statement by the Commonwealth Secretariat on the letter
NEW: Click here for our joint response to this statement
Find out more about the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and the Sri Lanka Campaign
