Statement by the leader of the UK Labour Party, Ed Miliband MP, in remembrance of Mullaivaikkal 2009. The statement was published on the website, Tamil Canadian, on 18th May 2012.
Mullivaikal Remembrance Day: Message from Rt. Hon Ed Miliband MP
Today we commemorate the third anniversary of the end of the armed conflict in Sr Lanka.
My thoughts are with you all, as you remember the appalling loss of life and as you honour the memory of family, friends and loved ones who died.
The terrible events that took place in 2009 resonate to this day. Three years on, no credible accountability process has been initiated from within Sri Lanka to investigate the serious allegations of war crimes detailed in the UN Panel of Experts report.
In addition, the Labour Party remains deeply concerned by the plight faced by many Tamils on the island, as well as violations of human rights.
Only if substantive measures are put in place to advance accountability and encourage reconciliation between communities on the island, will a sustainable peace take root.
For these reasons, the Labour Party has called for an international, independent inquiry into the conduct of the war’s final months.
This is why we support the recent United Nations Human Rights Council resolution promoting ‘Accountability and Reconciliation in Sri Lanka’.
And we urge the Government of Sri Lanka to co-operate with the United Nations; to implement the constructive recommendations of their Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission report; and to ensure justice for all the victims of the conflict.
Therefore, in the weeks and months ahead, the Labour Party will continue to prevail upon the British Government and other members of the international community, the importance of closely monitoring the implementation of the UN Human Rights Council resolution.
However if we do not see progress on these matters, then the British Prime Minister and his Government should keep under review the matter of UK representation at the 212 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka.
It is imperative that the Government of Sri Lanka adheres to its obligations to its people, by safeguarding their rights, and by providing the accountability and reconciliation mechanisms necessary to set Sri Lanka on the path to justice, dignity and long lasting peace.
Rt. Hon Ed Miliband MP
Leader of the Labour Party
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