UPDATE: on 9 March, the Prime Minister's office confirmed that the UK will call for an international investigation into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council. Reporting that the UK has joined four other countries in drawing up a draft resolution, the Guardian quoted a spokesperson for the Prime Minister as saying:
"Ahead of the vote, we are working hard to secure support from other countries. The PM has personally written to a number of leaders whose countries are on the Human Rights Council this session calling on them to support this resolution which would help to deliver progress on reconciliation and human rights in Sri Lanka."
UNA-UK is delighted that over 2,000 people signed the petition to the Prime Minister, and pleased by the UK's action on this issue.
It is now crucial that pressure is put on other members of the Human Rights Council to ensure that the resolution is passed, and that the references to an international investigation are made clearer and stronger. The current draft does not include an explicit call for a Commission of Inquiry.
Urge Human Rights Council members to give Sri Lanka the inquiry it needs - sign this petition
Original news story
To coincide with Sri Lanka's statement during the High-Level Segment of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), UNA-UK joined Freedom From Torture, Minority Rights Group, REDRESS and the Sri Lanka Campaign in urging the UK to push for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity levelled against both parties to the long-running conflict.
The groups' letter to the UK Prime Minister urges him to stand by his call for an independent, international inquiry. It notes that the unresolved allegations, alongside serious ongoing human rights violations, are hindering progress towards reconciliation and a lasting peace. It points to a report on Sri Lanka prepared by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which recommends that an "international inquiry mechanism" be set up and questions whether any domestic body could carry out an impartial investigation, given current levels of executive interference.
You can support the letter by signing this petition to the Prime Minister
The letter is part of a global campaign for an international investigation. Today, Desmond Tutu and other activists from countries that have experienced conflict joined hands in calling for Commission of Inquiry. An international petition is also gathering steam.
UNA-UK is particularly concerned that the lack of robust action to date is undermining the standing of the UN, which has already had to apologise for its handling of the crisis in 2008-09. Edward Mortimer, former UN Director of Communications and a supporter of this campaign, has said: "I fear this may be the Organization's last chance to retrieve any credibility on Sri Lanka."
