Facebook icon
Twitter icon
e-mail icon

Another British MP urges the Foreign Secretary to sanction Shavendra Silva

British MP, Bob Blackman, has joined a number of British MPs and Tamil activists who have called on the UK Foreign Secretary to impose Magnitsky style sanctions on Sri Lankan army commander, Shavendra Silva.

"We need to sanction Silva [...] to make clear that his behaviour was reprehensible, unacceptable, and he needs to be held to account for the decisions he took" stated Blackman.

In his statement, he further highlighted the reporting by the ITJP which details the numerous allegations of war crimes against Silva relating to his role as commander of Sri Lanka's notorious 58th Division. Allegations include the indiscriminate shelling of no-fire zones where tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were instructed by the government to take shelter.

Blackman further highlights that eyewitnesses detailed that Silva was present when hundreds of Tamil surrendered to the army during the last days and were disappeared in army custody

"The mothers of the disappeared still don't know what happened" Blackman notes.

He further urged the Foreign Secretary to follow the lead of the United States which has already placed sanctions and a travel ban on Silva.

Blackman joins a number of MPs from across the political aisle which includes Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, and Shadow Asia Minister, Stephen Kinnock. Other MPs include Elliot Colburn, Sam Tarry, Theresa Villiers, Stephen Timms, and Siobhain McDonagh. 

We need your support

Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.

Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view

We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.

For more ways to donate visit https://donate.tamilguardian.com.