The United Kingdom made a clear call on the United Nations Human Rights Council to support an independent investigation on Sri Lanka, stating that "the time has now clearly come for international action, with regard to Sri Lanka," and expressed hope that "the Human Rights Council can unite to support the call for an independent investigation."
Addressing the council on the opening day of the 25th session, British Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Hugo Swire said,“A year ago this Council asked the High Commissioner to report on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka. That report received by members of this council in recent days is unambiguous."
"The Government of Sri Lanka has failed to ensure independent and credible investigations into alleged violations and abuses committed by both parties during the conflict in Sri Lanka.”
“The majority of recommendations from successive Human Rights Council resolutions remain unimplemented, nor has the Sri Lankan government accepted offers of technical assistance from the UN.”
“The time has now clearly come for international action, with regard to Sri Lanka. This council has a duty to act on the findings of the report we collectively commissoned and to establish the truth.”
“If we fail to do so, where does that leave us?”
"I hope the Human Rights Council can unite to support the call for an independent investigation into alleged human rights violations and abuses on both sides. This will help pave the way for lasting reconciliation.
See transcript of full speech here, and video of his address below:
Swire had earlier stated in his address,
“If we let human rights abuses go unchecked and ignored we sow the seeds of future instability, conflict and humanitarian crisis... We cannot stay silent if countries fail to live up to their human rights obligations.”
He then went on to address human rights issues in Syria and Ukraine, as the first day of the session gets underway.
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