The British Secretary of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Hugo Swire, during proceedings at the House of Commons on Tuesday, outlined that any investigation that Sri Lanka were to commence, must be accepted by the international community in order to be deemed credible.
Responding to questions on UK involvement in ensuring an appropriate resolution was passed at the UNHRC in March 2014, Swire highlighted that the UK was regularly engaging with other countries on Sri Lanka, including discussions on the content.
Swire added,
"The Prime Minister has said that the UK would use its place on the UN Human Rights Council to call for an international investigation if there has been no progress. An assessment will be made at the UN Human Rights Council in March 2014."
"We regularly discuss Sri Lanka, including accountability, with a range of other EU, Commonwealth and international partners. In those discussions we are exploring options, including the content of a UNHRC Resolution, ahead of the March session. It is too soon to define what any international investigation might consist of.""We have made clear that any investigation must be internationally accepted to be considered credible."
"We share the concerns of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, that there have been no credible efforts to independently investigate the allegations to date. Progress will be assessed at the March 2014 UN Human Rights Council."
Swire’s recent comments come amidst heightening calls for international investigation and intervention to stop the continuing structural genocide of the Tamil community in the North-East.
See below.
‘Ananthi Sasitharan tells Norwegian foreign ministry genocide continues’ 17 Dec 2013
‘UN genocide adviser says member states failed in Sri Lanka’ 12 Dec 2013
‘International community must provide political solution for Tamils - Wigneswaran’ 12 Dec 2013
'British Tamils discuss international inquiry on war crimes and genocide with Shadow Foreign Secretary’ 06 Dec 2013
‘None can deny that there was genocide- Chidambaram’ 01 Dec 2013
‘British Tamils disappointed at Cameron’s commitment to CHOGM, continue call for boycott' 07 Nov 2013